Severe flooding has wrecked homes and businesses in Wigan, Greater Manchester as firefighters had to ferry people out of their houses to the local church and a nearby McDonalds
A Wigan family woke up on New Years Day to loud banging on the door only to find their street underwater.
HGV driver Michael Abram, 46, his wife Stacy, 38, and their three children Jack, 2, Jake, 10 and Bethany, 12, were woken at 6.30am by the fire service at their front door.
Water more than four feet deep swamped homes in Templeton Road in Platt Bridge, Wigan before firefighters arrived by boat to ferry the locals to a nearby McDonald’s.
Abram said: “We were being told that our car was underwater. But all the Christmas presents along with everything on the ground floor of our terraced house are gone. The water has ruined everything.”
He added: “I can’t thank the firefighters enough for saving the urns containing the ashes of my parents Michael and Janet, who both died in 2024, before the water rose too high. They did a fantastic job.”
Initially, the Abram’s were taken to St Nathaniel’s Church. Volunteers praised the generosity of the local community in donating food and clothes to the church to help local victims.
Volunteer Lisa Aldred said: “Even people who themselves had suffered damaged roofs in the storm were donating. Although 20 families were evacuated, other homes around Templeton Road have no power. It’s an absolute mess.”
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The rain came down at about 7pm and by 9pm we were flooded. Everything on the ground floor of our houses has been wrecked. It’s carnage in there.”
Damaged household appliances are now scattered across the front gardens on Templeton Road.
He said it was the first time the street had flooded. He said: “It’s the worst storm in my living memory. I’ve never experienced rain like that in my life.”
The water also hit local businesses and wrecked thousands of pounds worth of stock the Iceland and Home Bargains stores on Warrington Road.
Gareth Lee, the manager of the Iceland store, said: “The water was more than two feet deep throughout the store. The (last) time there was any kind of flood here was nine years ago, but this is the worst it has ever been.”
Makerfield MP Josh Simons has started a crowdfund page following flooding which affected several areas in the Wigan borough. He said: “It’s been a long few days for everyone and not the start to the year that we’d hoped for. We’ve all seen the strength of our community, and I want to thank the emergency services, council, and local residents, who’ve been fantastic. The water is receding but sadly many are now dealing with damage to their homes.
“My office is open to help and I’ve started a crowdfunding page to help support those impacted by the floods. My focus now is on ensuring my constituents get the support from insurance companies and the government needed to rebuild and that we develop a credible, long-term plan for flood defences across the towns I represent.”
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