'Explosions' and power cuts as storms sweep in

EXTREME weather unleashed chaos across Greater Manchester with 24 hours of stormy conditions wreaking havoc on the region’s transport system and leaving thousands of homes without power

- IMOGEN CLYDE-SMITH

Three amber flood alerts remained in place yesterday, meaning flooding was possible, and the battered region was bracing for the arrival of Storm Fergus last night.

The storm – named by the Irish meteorological service, Met Eireann – could produce 30 to 40mm of rain, along with a risk of hail and thunder, the Met Office said. The forecaster also issued a yellow weather warning for rain which remained in place until 3am today.

The warning covered every Greater Manchester borough, plus Lancashire, Cumbria, northern parts of Merseyside and western areas of Yorkshire. The Met Office says people can expect ‘further heavy rain bringing some flooding and disruption to transport’.

As of 6pm yesterday three flood alerts remained in the following Greater Manchester areas:

■Middle Mersey catchment in Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham, Urmston, Stretford, Gatley, Cheadle Hulme and Cheadle River