Why is it flooding so much?

EXPERT WARNS EXISTING DEFENCES MAY BE OUT OF DATE

- PAUL BRITTON

AN EXPERT has warned more 'big floods are coming' in Greater Manchester, citing climate change for causing increased 'intense rainfall events, residential development and aging infrastructure as key factors.

Professor Jamie Woodward said the New Year flooding across the region marked another unwanted record a record he said that wouldn't stand for long.

Authorities, he added, were 'caught by surprise' by an 'exceptional' storm on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.

Flood alleviation defences were activated in Sale, Trafford, but they could not prevent widespread flooding, Woodward said.

A month's worth of rain fell over 17 hours in Sale, with the River Mersey bursting its banks and flooding over the pathway and onto the fairways of Sale Golf Club.

Around 400 people were evacuated from flats at Meadow Mill in Stockport, with lower floors flooded and dozens of cars parked outside submerged.

Elsewhere, and as the emergency services declared a major incident, cars were abandoned on flooded roads and homes damaged, with a hotel housing asylum seekers in Didsbury also evacuated.

Police said 50 properties in Didsbury were evacuated and 'widespread' flooding in Platt Bridge, Wigan, also led to evacuations.