Storm Boelo has brought severe flooding and travel disruption to Greater Manchester, with three flood warnings issued and several train lines blocked across the region.
The Environment Agency issued severe flood warnings for Ashton-in-Makerfield and two areas in Bolton, while Waterloo Street in Oldham was closed due to floodwater.
Train services suspended on multiple routes
Northern announced that lines between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, and between Wigan North Western and Liverpool Lime Street, were blocked because of the weather. The line to the airport was blocked 'due to damage to the overhead electric wires', while the line between Wigan and Liverpool was blocked 'due to heavy rain flooding the railway', Northern said on X.
TransPennine Express also said its trains could not run between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street 'due to a train striking a tree in the Warrington area'. Rail services between Manchester Piccadilly and Dinting in Derbyshire were also disrupted after a falling tree damaged overhead lines.
Emergency response to flooding and building risk
The heavy rain caused roads to be shut, including Waterloo Street in Oldham. Emergency services were called to Bridge Street in Heywood after reports that winds might cause a derelict building to collapse. The area was made safe and firefighters remain at the scene. The building remains upright.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “At around 6:30pm this evening (Saturday 24 October), one fire engine from Heywood was called to reports of an incident near Bridge Street, Heywood. Firefighters arrived quickly and are working alongside colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council to make the area safe. Crews remain in attendance at this time.”
Metrolink services were also briefly affected between Crumpsall and Bury due to an unidentified object on an overhead line, the Bee Network has said.
Flood warnings and weather outlook
The Environment Agency issued two flood warnings earlier on Saturday, the first in Astley Bridge, Bolton, around Old Road, Blackburn Road, Seymour Road, Greenwood Vale and Viola Street in Sharples. A second was issued in Lostock, Bolton, around Sudbury Drive and parts of Rumworth Road and Regent Road. A third warning was later issued for Millingford Brook at Ashton in Makerfield, around Wigan Road and Princess Road, with residents urged to 'act now'.
The storm follows Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, which brought gusts of up to 80mph to parts of south-west England on Friday (October 23). Met Office forecasters said Sunday would be mainly cloudy with bright or sunny spells, but with very strong and potentially disruptive winds.
