Didsbury residents forced to evacuate as the UK recovers from third storm in a week
- Three storms, Dudley, Eunice and Franklin batter the UK in a single week
- Over 70 homes evacuated in south Manchester
- Flood defences deployed by Environment Agency
Homes were evacuated in Didsbury over the weekend as the third storm in a single week hit the UK.
Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin hammered many parts of the UK and 70 homes in Didsbury and Wythenshawe had to be evacuated in the face of flooding.
The Environment Agency put up flood defenses to control the overspill from the River Mersey.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of the city council, said: “It is a welcome relief that the severe flood warning has now been removed.
“However, a flood alert remains in place and will do most likely through the week until Didsbury empties.
“Emergency rest centres were set up at the Wythenshawe Forum and Didsbury Mosque where people who could not stay with relatives or friends will be able to find shelter.”
Hundreds of homes lost power, although this has since been restored and a number of schools in Lancashire were closed due to the effects of Storm Franklin.
It wasn’t just floods, travel was also disrupted by high winds with trains delayed or cancelled, a lorry overturned on the M60 closing the road for several hours, and there have been a number of delays at Manchester airport.
The Metrolink also suffered severe delays on the Rochdale and Bury Metrolink lines. In order to get people home Metrolink tickets were accepted on relevant local bus routes.
A number of trees were felled in the 122 mph winds causing disruption.
Capturing the moment the @ManCityCouncil team bring down an unstable tree alongside the fallen on Wilmslow Rd #didsbury near @greeneking Olde Cock and Didsbury pubs. pic.twitter.com/IKApTDCmCK
— Andrew Simcock (@Andrew4Didsbury) February 21, 2022