Merseyside floods: Power switched off in Maghull homes

Electricity supplies were switched off to almost 40 homes after parts of Merseyside were hit by floods.

Police said flooding in Fouracres, Maghull, led to the power being turned off as a precautionary measure in 36 homes.

In St Helens, the River Sankey burst its banks and firefighters using inflatable rafts helped move 10 residents from Blackbrook Road.

Rail services have also been affected by the flooding.

Residents from Blackbrook have spent the day mopping up after the flooding.

"You're just helpless," said Deborah White, whose house was damaged.

"It is traumatic but you can't fight these things, I'm just glad I wasn't here when it happened."

Gary Evans, who owns a motor repair business, said he was trying to assess the full cost of the damage.

"It has absolutely wrecked the place," he said.

Trains suspended

Services have been suspended on Merseyrail between Rock Ferry and Chester and between Rock Ferry and Ellesmere Port due to flooding at Hooton.

There are also delays on trains between Chester and Shrewsbury and between Bidston and Wrexham.

Arriva Trains Wales has suspended services between Chester and Crewe, and Virgin Trains services on the same route have been delayed.

A replacement bus service is running on Arriva Trains Wales between Bidston and Wrexham.

Merseyside Fire Service spokesman Steve Pratt said the 10 people rescued in St Helens included two elderly women and a man, as well as a cat and a dog.

The River Sankey in St Helens burst its banks and forced 10 residents to leave their homes

He said they were called at about 16:30 BST after about 1ft (30.5cm) of water had risen near houses in Blackbrook Road.

The flooding had affected the junction with Westend Road, not far from the Ship Inn.

The pub was affected by the flooding and was forced to close, with the lounge and cellar areas being submerged in water.

Emergency services were called to Fouracres in Maghull at about 22:35 BST on Monday, but no homes were evacuated, police said.

On Monday night, a man and a woman had to be rescued by firefighters after their cars were stuck in floods in Cheshire.

The man was rescued from the roof of his car by two firefighters in Little Stanney Lane, Stoak, near Chester, after his car became submerged in 3ft of water.

In Guilden Sutton, fire crews pulled a woman to safety after flood waters had reached the height of her car boot.

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency issued flood warnings for areas of Ellesmere Port and St Helens.

The warnings cover Rivacre Brook in Great Sutton, Sutton Brook in Sutton Leach and Rainford Brook in Rainford. An agency spokesman said nearby properties were "at risk".

Cheshire Fire Service said it received reports of flooding from residents in Chester, Eccleston, Norbury, Little Sutton, Ledsham, Capenhurst, Guilden Sutton, Saughall, Winsford, Hooton, Lower Kinnerton, Neston, Warrington, Blacon, Mickle Trafford, Ellesmere Port and Lache.