Firefighters use boats to reach the elderly residents after the River Mersey flooded in Cheshire.

A union has called into question how seriously managers take the safety of employees and the public.

That's it for today's live coverage of the flooding in the north-west of England.

To read more on our latest stories click the links below:

• River Mersey 'centimetres' from breaching defences
• Sinkhole appears causing homes to collapse
• Pensioners rescued from flooded retirement village
• From lockdown river haven to major evacuations

Your local radio stations BBC Radio Manchester 95.1FM and BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8FM will be on air throughout the evening, bringing you all of the latest information and news updates.

Thanks again for joining us and stay safe.

Drone footage shows flooding caused by Storm Christoph along the River Mersey.

BBC Midlands Today

People in Shropshire are being told Covid rules will let them leave their homes in an emergency such as flooding.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Firefighters in the county were called to more than 70 incidents on Wednesday night, with most of them flooding-related.

Some people have questioned whether they are allowed to leave their home during lockdown.

But Russ Hales, from Shropshire Fire and Rescue service, said the guidelines allowed it.

"If it is a threat to life then that out weighs the self-isolation as per government guidance," he said.

There looks to be a changing picture this afternoon.

Earlier we reported the Environment Agency (EA) was expecting river levels to peak later on Thursday.

But as water from this week's heavy rain makes its way slowly through the rivers of the West Midlands, that forecast is changing.

The EA said that while in some cases it expected river levels to start falling on Thursday afternoon, in others, peaks could come on Friday or even Saturday.

Image source, J at Severn Ridge

The EA has more than 40 flood warnings across the region, external. Worcestershire is subject to most, with 12 in place so far.

There are also 10 in Staffordshire, nine in Herefordshire, eight in Shropshire and, with a new county to be implicated, three in Warwickshire.

Residents at a retirement village have been stranded by flooding caused by Storm Christoph.

Image source, Sam Naylor

Weaver Court in Northwich has been surrounded by water and is currently without power and water.

Northwich councillor Sam Naylor said the 49 residents and staff at the village were "safe and in good spirits".

People heading to get their Covid vaccination at a hospital are being warned one of its entry roads has flooded.

Image source, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

It's the route by the entrance to the vaccination hub at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, in Gobowen, Shropshire, that's underwater.

The NHS trust said, external people coming for their jab should try to access the hospital from the Whittington direction instead.

Thousands of homes in Manchester narrowly escape flooding from heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph.

Emmanuel Adeseko says more must be done to urge African Caribbean communities to get Covid jabs.

As we reported earlier, there are flood warnings in place, external for nearly 40 areas of the West Midlands.

Those spots are in Staffordshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.

So far, disruption has not been as severe as that experienced elsewhere in England and Wales. But for those wondering how the situation - including evacuations - is being managed amid a pandemic, here's a brief explanation:

People have been told Covid rules let them leave their homes in an emergency.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government was "totally prepared" for the dual crises of flooding and the pandemic and that Covid-secure facilities would be available for any people forced to evacuate as a result of the weather.

Preparations for potential flooding have been scaled up in Ironbridge, Shropshire, with temporary barriers installed along the river., external

Image source, Telford and Wrekin Council

A flood alert has been issued for the area,, external the lowest of the three levels the Environment Agency uses.

But further upstream on the River Severn, a number of higher warnings have been issued and residents will have fresh memories of last year's widespread floods.

Defences have also been installed at the Dale End Cafe in Coalbrookdale which suffered floods four times in 2020:

Image source, Telford and Wrekin Council

More flood barriers are being installed in Bewdley, Worcestershire, today.

Bewdley suffered widespread flooding last year when river levels rose and poured over the top of barriers in Beales Corner.

Image source, Environment Agency

The Environment Agency had already put up temporary barriers in the town earlier this week, with Beales Corner among the sites.

The latest are being placed along the south side of the River Severn., external

BBC Breakfast

The Environment Agency says people should sign up for flood updates or use its website to make sure they can keep safe.

Firefighters in Cheshire have responded to 134 flood-related incidents in the past 24 hours.

Two men are suspected of conspiracy to murder over the death of Neil Parkinson.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning drivers to avoid driving through flood water.

Two adults and their dog have been rescued from a flooded Shropshire farmhouse.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

Fire crews were called to the site in Woore on Wednesday evening and said it was surrounded by flood water which was 3ft (0.91m) deep in places. , external

They said the people and the dog were safe.

Image source, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

BBC Weather

There may be better weather news ahead, as the forecast this morning is for it to be cloudy with scattered wintry showers, falling as snow over the hills, while this afternoon, there will be further showers, but it will turn drier and clearer for many by the evening.

Several drivers have been rescued from their cars after getting stuck in flood water in Staffordshire., external

The A522 at Beamhurst, near Uttoxeter, was impassable overnight, police said., external

Image source, Staffordshire Police