A NUMBER of flood warnings and alerts were in place across Greater Manchester and its surrounding area as Storm Christoph hit the region this week.

Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident on Tuesday evening due to the storm, with more heavy downpours expected throughout yesterday and today.

A flood alert was issued for the Upper and Lower River Irwell catchment with Bury, Ramsbottom, Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden and Rawtenstall all threatened and a possibility of flooding for low lying land and roads around the Rivers Beal, Roch and Croal, Limy Water and their tributaries.

A temporary barrier was put in place on Warth Road in Bury to stop any potential flooding.

There were reports of localised surface water flooding in the Whitefield Road area on Wednesday with door knocking team on site checking on residents and United Utilities on site.

Pictures of Nuttall Park in Ramsbottom also showed very high water levels.

A spokesman for Bury Council said: “Prolonged heavy rain through to Thursday will cause rivers to rise which may lead to flooding. We are checking and clearing gullies at hot spots and monitoring river levels. Our teams are on standby to deal with any issues.”

Last year properties in Bury and Ramsbottom had to be evacuated after the River Irwell burst its banks during Storm Ciara.