River hits highest-ever level and hundreds of homes at risk of flooding amid 'danger to life' warnings

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Hundreds of homes were at risk of flooding and 'danger to life' warnings were issued for parts of south Manchester as Storm Franklin battered the region throughout Sunday.

At one point during a chaotic day, the River Mersey reached its highest level ever in one area.

As of 8.45pm, the river level stood at 4.29m at Brinksway in Stockport. The previous highest was 3.97m - recorded on November 6, 2000.

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Several miles downstream, severe flood warnings were issued for parts of East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden after the River Mersey burst it banks on Sunday afternoon.

As many as 430 homes were contacted and urged to leave for their safety.

Council bosses 'strongly advised' anyone who was asked to evacuate their home to do so.

An emergency rest centre was set up at Didsbury Mosque to offer urgent shelter to evacuees, while the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield was put on standby.

As torrential rain continued to fall, Didsbury East councillor Andrew Simcock announced that the river's floodgates had been opened at about 6.20pm.

In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Manchester City Council said: "Based on the information currently available to us, it's anticipated that some properties could be affected by flooding later this evening.

"Our teams are knocking on doors in areas that are most likely to be affected, providing advice on what to do."

Rising floodwater later resulted in Ford Lane and Palatine Road, in Didsbury, being shut on Sunday evening.

Just days after Storm Eunice brought devastation to parts of the country, flood warnings were also issued for three areas of land near the River Mersey - in Cheadle Wood, Fletcher Moss and at Sale Water Park.