Severe flooding in Wigan led to dramatic rescues and widespread evacuations as heavy rain caused rivers to overflow and homes to be submerged.
Wigan: On New Year’s Day, a woman was rescued by boat as flooding forced evacuations in the area. Heavy rain caused rivers to overflow, leaving roads and car parks underwater.
In Platt Bridge, footage showed rescuers guiding a boat with a woman to safety through a submerged street. Firefighters and police were busy responding to calls for help, with many rescuers out in boats.
Businesses like Home Bargains and Iceland were also affected, with water rising around them. One woman was seen wading through the cold, murky water almost up to her waist.
Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident due to the flooding. By the evening, they confirmed that localized flooding was still a problem, and a refuge center was set up at Robin Park.
Many homes in Wigan lost power on New Year’s Day, part of a larger outage affecting around 2,800 homes across the North West. Electricity North West advised those without power to visit a local coffee shop for hot drinks and food.
Flood alerts were issued by the Environment Agency, warning that flooding was possible in several areas. A flood warning was also in place for low-lying areas near the River Douglas, urging residents to take action.
Wigan Athletic had to postpone their New Year’s Day match against Huddersfield due to the flooding. While the pitch was playable, safety concerns for public areas and the strain on emergency services led to the decision.
Major roads in Wigan, especially around Platt Bridge, remain closed due to the flooding. Key routes like the A58 Liverpool Road and A573 Walthew Lane are among those affected.
