We were asked by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to deploy our specialist water rescue resources to assist with potential flooding in the Stockport area following heavy rain and a very high River Mersey.
Initially our specialist trained Water Incident Manager attended to provide them with details of the resources which Mountain Rescue Teams around Greater Manchester could provide. This was followed later by deployment of trained Swiftwater Rescue Technicians from Kinder, Oldham and Bolton to a fire station in Stockport to work alongside fire service personnel.
Thankfully for those in the areas who were at risk of flooding to their homes, whilst the water levels in the river were exceptionally high properties were not flooded. Had the flooding occurred then our resources would have been tasked to help evacuate residents.
Once the high point had passed and water levels began to recede we were stood down and returned to our various mountain rescue bases in the early hours.
- Time: 16:00
- Type: Flooding
- Location: Stockport
- Team members: 8 plus Oldham and Bolton Mountain Rescue Teams
- Duration: 10 hours 45 minutes
- Volunteer hours: 58 hours
- Total volunteer hours for the year: 640
Neil Woodhead, Team Leader