FLOOD AND GUSTS

STORM battered Britain faces more chaos ahead of the big return to work with millions warned to brace themselves for three days of snow.

- JEREMY ARMSTRONG

The alert from the Met Office came as a major flood emergency was declared in the North West.

Dramatic aerial images showed devastation in Manchester, Stockport, Wigan and Bolton yesterday.

Wide areas were left submerged under water and residents had to be evacuated from their homes.

TransPennine Express issued a "Do not travel" warning throughout the north of England. Multiple roads were closed, leaving cars submerged.

Some residents were feared to be trapped in a block of flats in Stockport. The newly converted Meadow Mill on Water Street was left completely surrounded by flood water as fire crews prepared boats to reach anyone stranded. Resident Helen Scott said: "I woke up to all of the car park and the entire first floor completely submerged.

"The fact I've got a couple of proseccos still in me has taken the edge off. Give me a couple of hours and I think the horror of the start of 2025 is going to sink in."

Ell Henderson, 28, added: "At 7.30am, the power went out. It was like a swimming pool outside, the water was about a foot deep.