Families across Stockport expressed their devastation after flooding caused chaos on New Year's Eve, with many residents claiming their urgent requests to clear blocked drains were ignored.
Alan and Lyn Russell, from Glandon Drive, found their home inundated with "two to three inches of water" when heavy rains battered Greater Manchester, creating serious repercussions throughout the region. The couple's residence is situated two miles from the nearest waterway, yet rain coursing down Ack Lane West formed what they described as "a lake" on their street, particularly impacting them during the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Due to the flooding, their living room carpet was rendered completely unserviceable, necessitating its removal, and nearly all their furniture was damaged. Alan reported they communicated with Stockport Council on December 6 concerning the blocked grids outside their home, yet no action was taken until January 2—after significant damage occurred.
Alan, 77, voiced his frustration saying, "It’s the grids on the road which are blocked, it’s been years since they were cleared. I am quite angry about it, because we told the council what would happen and they didn’t do anything. Every bit of rain causes the grid to flood and we get a lake outside." His wife, 79-year-old Lyn, recounted the moment water began to overwhelm their home: "We were getting ready for bed [on New Year's Eve] and I realized water was coming toward us and the kitchen was flooded. We wouldn’t have survived if my son-in-law hadn’t come round with his rods to clear the grid."
Concerned about the prospect of damp and health risks, Lyn added, "Now it’s a health and safety issue. My grandson was crying afterwards because he can't come now."">
The Russells were not alone. Their neighbor, 50-year-old Dave Young, also experienced flooding, stating the water inside his home reached "up to the ankles." The flooding disrupted electricity supplies, leading to the trip of circuits. Describing the harrowing experience, Dave shared, "I’ve never felt so hopeless in my life. The damage will cost tens of thousands of pounds. The council did nothing [to clean grids] until the street was flooded. This has been devastating."
While visiting the area on January 3, the Manchester Evening News observed numerous completely blocked grids along Ack Lane West. Stockport council attributed the flooding to "unprecedented rainfall." A spokesperson said, "The River Mersey reached almost 70 cm higher than its previously recorded highest level. From lunchtime on December 31 through to the morning of January 1, we experienced an exceptional deluge of rain, which overwhelmed rivers, streams, and culverts across the borough." They acknowledged the challenges prompted by the volume of rainfall, highlighting the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events and recommending residents sign up for the Environment Agency's Flood Alert System.
Assurances were made about supporting affected residents, with council teams focused on cleaning roads and restoring normalcy. "While we know the underlying cause of the flooding was the huge amount of rain, we will undertake a formal review to establish what happened at specific locations and any lessons to be taken," the spokesperson clarified.
Residents now face potential hikes in insurance costs as they have begun assessments of the damages inflicted upon their homes. Flooding repercussions were felt not just at the Russells' but across multiple homes and businesses in Stockport and other parts of Greater Manchester. Evacuations were reported at flats within Meadow Mill due to inundation.
Local councilors called for immediate improvements to the borough’s grid and gully maintenance programs. Stockport Labour group leader, Coun. David Meller, stated, "There needs to be a thorough investigation with actions we can take as a result of this. We are concerned the gully cleaning program is not working as effectively as it should be."
Further raising concerns, Coun. Meller pointed out blockages were accumulating on Lavington Avenue, requiring residents to manually clear gullies with sticks. Meanwhile, Conservative Coun. Peter Crossen addressed issues raised repeatedly by constituents about neglected drain maintenance, noting businesses have suffered recurring flooding for which they were still paying recovery costs from previous incidents.
Crossen warned, "There are children affected [by flood damage], elderly people waiting for operations; it’s just not good enough. The council can’t control the heavens, but there are practical steps we can take to mitigate the impacts here."
This flood incident has highlighted significant vulnerabilities within local infrastructure and the urgent need for preemptive measures to shield residents from future natural disasters as unpredictable weather patterns become increasingly common.