Torrential rain has unleashed significant flooding across Greater Manchester, prompting numerous flood warnings and alerts that caused widespread disruption to infrastructure and impacted residents. The deluge, which began Saturday morning and was subject to a Met Office yellow warning until Sunday morning, led to streets becoming submerged, critical transport routes being affected, and properties facing inundation.

Eight specific flood warnings were issued for areas deemed at high risk. These included multiple sections of the River Mersey—at West Didsbury, Northenden Golf Club, Palatine Road; Fletcher Moss and Withington Golf Course; and Cheadle Wood and Ford Lane—where low-lying land and properties were particularly vulnerable. Further warnings covered Bessy Brook at Lostock, impacting properties along Sudbury Drive, Rumworth Road, and Regent Road; Worsley Brook at Alder Forest Bridge and the Cricket Grounds; the River Irwell from Buckley Wells to Radcliffe; the River Bollin and Agden Brook at Little Bollington; and Timperley Brook at Altrincham, affecting areas from Green Lane to Woodlands Road and Canal Road.

Beyond these warnings, broader flood alerts were also in place for the River Irwell spanning Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Ramsbottom, the city centre, Salford, and Trafford. Similar alerts covered the River Mersey around Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham, Urmston, Hyde, Ashton, Denton, Stalybridge, and Glossop. The River Bolin also had alerts for Bollington, parts of Altrincham, Macclesfield, Knutsford, and Wilmslow, alongside the Upper River Douglas from Horwich Star Vale to Appley Bridge. The distinction between an alert (flooding possible) and a warning (flooding expected) was emphasized, with warnings typically issued 30 minutes to two hours before actual flooding.

The impact on public transport was almost immediate, with lanes closed on the M62, M61, and M56 due to flooding. Train services between Bolton and Blackburn were halted, leading to cancellations and delays that lasted until Saturday evening at 7:30 pm. Local councillors and Members of Parliament, including Labour MP Josh Simmons for Makerfield, actively communicated with constituents, advising on necessary steps to take if at risk. In Salford, discussions around the potential use of flood basins were underway.

The severity of the flooding was acutely felt by residents, particularly on Peel Green Road in Eccles, Salford, which became completely submerged. One resident, currently on holiday in Turkey, witnessed her car becoming enveloped by water via a doorbell camera, recounting her son's struggle to move the vehicle, having to