Floods will worsen, warns PM, as thousands prepare to flee homes
THOUSANDS of people in Manchester are facing evacuation from their homes because of flooding which Boris Johnson warned could get worse next week.
Families already enduring lockdown were warned power cuts were likely, while some in the Didsbury area of the city were already being forced to leave their homes. Ministers feared Storm Christoph would also affect the rollout of vaccines in some areas as flooding threatened to close vaccination centres and interrupt the delivery of the jabs.
With more than 100 flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency as well as at least 200 flood alerts, preparations were also being made last night for
Covid-secure evacuation centres with separate accommodation for those shielding. The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency com- mittee yesterday to discuss the response to the storm, which has flooded parts of East Anglia and the north of England.
He said Greater Manchester, where according to police 3,000 homes were at risk, was of particular concern. “We have got a situation potentially developing there,” he said. “We are looking at a pattern of rainfall, possibly not so bad this week but worse possibly next week.”
He said steps were being taken to ensure the transport and energy networks were prepared so that electricity outages would not be “severe” and that there would be sufficient supplies of
‘There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey’
sandbags. Last night, Greater Manchester Police said 2,000 homes in Didsbury and Northenden were already being evacuated. Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey said: “A basin at Didsbury to take water from the Mersey is full. It will overtop in the next few hours. As a result, we will be issuing a flood warning to homes.”
Police also predicted that properties could flood in Sale. Residents in Maghull, Merseyside, and in parts of Ruthin, North Wales, were last night advised to leave their properties as soon as possible after a severe flood warning was issued.
A spokesman for Sefton council said heavy rain had led to flooding from the River Alt.
They added: “The increase in the water level has led the Environment Agency to issue a severe flood warning, meaning there is a threat to life and significant disruption.”
National Rail warned that “major disruption” was expected on some services today and that lines could close at short notice, while speed restrictions were likely, causing further delays.
Passengers travelling in the North of England, Wales and the Midlands were advised to check before setting out.
Meanwhile, government sources said there were “concerns around vaccine deployment”.
Ministers had already warned that the target of vaccinating all over-70s by Feb 15 would be “tight” following recent supply issues, and any suspension of the programme in some areas would mean NHS workers having to deploy vaccines faster, to catch up. A source said: “At the moment, the vaccination centres remain open and we are telling people they should still attend appointments. But if they are unable to get there or if the centres have to be closed, we will reschedule their jabs.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the Government was “alive” to the issue of people needing Covidsecure accommodation.
An Environment Agency spokesman said another option for those shielding would be to stay with family or friends temporarily, which would not breach lockdown laws as leaving home to escape risk of harm was permitted.
Mr Johnson urged people to heed warnings if advised to leave their homes.
He said: “There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey the advice and not evacuated. It is their right not to do so if they choose – but it really is advisable – follow the advice.”
The Environment Agency has 25 miles of temporary barriers for deployment, with 250 high-volume pumps and 6,500 staff on standby.
The Armed Forces have also been placed on alert.
The flood warnings issued by the agency meaning “immediate action is required” mainly cover the North West, Yorkshire and the East Midlands.