Richard Kilpatrick, Liberal Democrat representative for West Didsbury, was one of those asked to leave their homes last night.

Image source, Didsbury Mosque

He sought shelter at Didsbury Mosque and spent the night helping others from the area, alongside the emergency services.

He said some people found it difficult to leave, because they were so used to staying at home in accordance with Covid guidance.

He added that residents should follow any advice issued by Greater Manchester Police and the Environment Agency.

The gardens at the National Trust's Dunham Massey site, which lies on the opposite bank of the River Bollin to Little Bollington, has been closed for the day due to flooding.

Cheshire Police are asking people to "avoid Northwich town centre unless essential" as flood waters are causing issues in the area.

Twenty-five places in Warrington are at risk of flooding or renewed flooding, the borough council has said.

The council said spells of "prolonged and heavy rain may lead to further flooding and disruption in parts of Warrington" and the areas most at risk were along the River Mersey.

A spokesman added that "as at 09:00 today, there are some localities that may be at significant risk of flooding, or further flooding".

Those include:

• A574 (Glazebury bound)
• Fiddler's Ferry Power Station
• Liverpool Road (which is closed at Sankey Bridges, with reports of properties being breached)
• Orford Jubilee Hub
• Warrington Lane, Lymm (which is closed due to flooding on the carriageway)

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Didsbury Mosque has opened its doors to give shelter to those who have been evacuated by the floods.

Image source, Didsbury Mosque

Tracey Pook, from the mosque, said the group are offering hot tea and coffee and a place to rest for people affected.

She added:

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

The playing fields at Parrs Wood High School in south Manchester have been completely covered by the flood waters from the River Mersey.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Rail operator Northern has announced some of its routes, which had been affected by flooding, are now reopening.

Didsbury resident Rob Davies was one of those who had to escape the weather last night and left his house near a golf course.

He says "waking up and not knowing what your house is going to be like in the morning is daunting", adding:

Flood defences "served their purpose" and kept properties in Manchester dry overnight after hundreds of residents were told to leave their homes because of Storm Christoph.

Image source, PA

Lee Rawlinson, of the Environment Agency, said that flood basins put in place on the River Mersey at Didsbury had kept properties in the area dry overnight.

"The river got to very high levels very quickly [and] the water was pouring through there," he told BBC Breakfast.

"The top of the river came within centimetres of the top of the river bank but our defences there have served their purpose and kept those properties dry.

"But it was close."

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.

A pub manager says dealing with flooding "on the back of all the upheaval with Covid" is an "ongoing nightmare".

Ann Stapleton-Amphlett is general manager of the Swan With Two Nicks pub in Little Bollington, Cheshire.

The village has been hit by severe flooding and the highest level flood warning is currently in place in the local area.

She says there has been "severe damage" inside the building, adding:

West Didsbury councillor Greg Stanton said the flooding there was limited to the areas immediately around the River Mersey and no homes were impacted, but it was "right to move people from potential danger".

About 2,000 homes in the Didsbury and Northenden areas of Manchester were evacuated.

The Labour councillor said the authorities were not expecting further flooding at this point but it was a storm and so couldn't always be predicted and people should "remain ready", adding:

Services on the Chester to Ellesmere Port line are likely to be suspended until noon, Merseyrail has said.

The rail operator also said replacement bus services cannot serve Capenhurst, Little Sutton and Overpool at the moment, due to heavy flooding on surrounding roads.

Elsewhere, a shuttle service between Rock Ferry and Liverpool is in effect.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter says about 115 homes in Heatley are "at risk of flooding".

Greg Morrison lives near Barlow Road in Didsbury, which is close to where homes are being evacuated.

Image source, Greg Morrison

He said it is "very surprising to see it so high", adding:

The 32-year-old said his property is located on higher ground, so he has not been hit by the floods.

Image source, Greg Morrison

BBC News England

More than 2,000 properties were evacuated overnight as Storm Christoph hit Greater Manchester.

Severe flood warnings, indicating there is a danger to life, remain in place after water levels in the River Mersey and its tributaries rose dramatically.

Little Bollington, Heatley, East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden are among the worst-hit places.

Meanwhile, on Merseyside, some residents in the Maghull area of Sefton were also advised to leave their properties.

Simon King
BBC weather presenter and meteorologist

What happened in Greater Manchester on Wednesday evening was unprecedented.

Image source, PA

It was about a month’s worth of rainfall in 48 hours.

There was a crazy situation where we saw snow falling.

I don’t think we have been in a situation where we have had severe flood warnings and snow settling as well.