Storm Claudia Causes Damage Across Greater Manchester

Strong winds and heavy rain brought by Storm Claudia have caused significant disruption across Greater Manchester, with emergency services responding to multiple incidents overnight.

In Oldham, dramatic images show a large tree completely uprooted and falling onto a bungalow, causing substantial damage to the property. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported from this incident.

Earlier in the evening, residents in Bollington, Cheshire, were evacuated from their homes after a tree fell onto several properties, also bringing down power lines and creating hazardous conditions.

The storm has severely impacted the region’s transport infrastructure, with both train services and Metrolink light rail experiencing major disruptions due to fallen trees blocking tracks and overhead lines.

Lapland Manchester announced its closure due to the severe weather, with management citing “high speed winds and increasing severe weather forecast” as creating unacceptable safety risks for visitors.

The Environment Agency has now issued three flood alerts across Greater Manchester. New alerts cover the River Bollin catchment area, including Knutsford, Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Bollington, joining existing alerts for the River Mersey near Tameside and areas around Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.

Officials warn that flooding is possible in these areas due to rapidly rising river levels. Low-lying land and roads near the Rivers Bollin, Dean and Pedley, Birkin and Mobberley Brooks remain most at risk.

Storm Claudia is expected to weaken overnight, though further rainfall is forecast for tomorrow. However, meteorologists predict the winds will be significantly less severe than those experienced today.

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