Storm Bert floods homes and businesses in Ramsbottom and Bury

Flood warnings remain in place between Radcliffe and Bury this evening as the River Irwell burst its bank in Ramsbottom earlier in the afternoon.

Residents are grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding caused by Storm Bert this afternoon, which has wreaked havoc across the borough. The River Irwell has burst its banks, inundating large parts of Ramsbottom, including Nuttall Park, where significant damage has been reported.

Cllr Gareth Staples-Jones, the cabinet member on the council for environment, climate change, and operations, reported on social media this evening that the newly installed children’s play area has extensive damage caused by submerged water, leaving large holes hidden beneath the surface. He has urged residents to steer clear of the playground for safety reasons until repairs can be made.

In a statement, Bury Council said:

"The reported floods to date are

Whalley Rd, Shuttleworth, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 0ED - outside Prospect House - Cross Plant Hire Ltd. –

10 The Paddock -BLO 9HP

379 Parr Lane

360 Manchester Road, Walmersley, Bury, BL9 5NJ.

283 Rochdale Old Road - BL9 7SA

26 Greenside Chase, Bury BL9 9EG.

River Irwell has burst it's bank near Nutall Park, park has been flooded

Walmersley Road and Long Lane

Delamere Street, large field at the back of the street flooded entire street, BL9 6NE.

Hall St Summerseat - BL9 5QE –

Springwood lodge - BL0 9DW

BL9 5QL – Riverside drive and waterside Rd –

2 Bury old road, Ainsworth, BL2 5PJ – blocking full road

119 Manchester road, Bury BL9 5NL

16 Oak ave - Bl0 9UY

2 Woodhill street, BL8 1AT – drains backing up.

Highway response currently had one vehicle out visiting all the flooding sites on a priority basis and two more have been stood up and have now been deployed to assist.

The most up to date information from the Met office is that we are currently under a yellow weather warning.

River levels are expected to peak between 5 and 6pm.

The first responder has confirmed that a few businesses have now been flooded on Kenyon Street (Ramsbottom).

"Updates will be provided over the next few hours."

Emergency response teams and council crews are working tirelessly to address the situation, with vehicles and staff deployed to manage the risks and assess the damage. According to Cllr Staples-Jones, water levels are beginning to recede, but the cleanup effort is only just beginning. Local council representatives and forward response officers are coordinating with other agencies to ensure the safety of the community and begin repairs.

“We are doing all we can to identify hazards and prioritize areas of concern,” said a spokesperson for the council. “Please be cautious and report any issues or damages to the emergency response team on 0161 253 6606. If you see a situation where someone’s life is at risk, call 999 immediately.”

Residents are reminded to check on neighbours and stay vigilant, particularly as crews continue their inspections.

While the storm’s full impact is still being assessed, efforts are already underway to restore the affected areas.