Fire service warning ahead of expected flooding this weekend

FIREFIGHTERS from across Greater Manchester are urging the public to keep safe this weekend as more wet and windy weather is forecast to hit the area.

Members of the public are encouraged to take extra care when driving, leave extra time for any essential journeys and drive according to the road conditions.

Heavy rainfall and high winds are being forecast with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for rain to run from midnight until 2pm on Saturday for Greater Manchester. A further warning for rain is in place from 6pm on Sunday until 6pm on Monday.

Head of Prevention, Paul Duggan said: “We’ve already had a wet and windy week in Greater Manchester and there is more to come this weekend. This has seen us called to incidents where properties have flooded and we are asking the public to please help us reduce the number of incidents we attend by following the advice and only calling 999 in an emergency. This will ensure our crews are available to attend the incidents where they are needed most.

“When out on the road this means taking your time, making sure you are driving to the conditions and not driving into flood water because you never know how deep it will be.”

Any flooding concerns in your area should be dealt with by your local council. Alternatively call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Some incidents that GMFRS has attended over the last few days include:

28.10.2020

03.56am, St James Street, Farnworth – flooding from ceiling in kitchen of terraced property. Crews isolated electrics and pumped out water.

29.10.2020

10.57am, Chorley Old Road, Bolton – flooding involving basement of semi-detached property. Firefighters isolated electrics and pumped out water.

4.12pm, Oulder Hill Drive, Rochdale – blocked grid way causing minor flooding in property’s rear garden. Crews removed waste from grid.

30/10/2020 16:13 PM