An environment official has warned that residents in areas at risk of flooding should continue being alert for the next few days, despite the major incident in Greater Manchester being stood down.
Around 2,000 homes and businesses in south Manchester were asked to evacuate last night with severe 'danger to life' flood warnings in place for East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden.
Authorities now believe water levels to have peaked - but are warning that more rain is forecast towards the weekend.
Lee Rawlinson, area director at the Environment Agency, said residents in affected areas should remain alert as water levels remain high.
In an interview with BBC Breakfast this morning, he said: “We have to remain vigilant for the next couple of days I’m afraid, the rain is still coming down on the upper highlands and the water levels will still come down into towns and cities over time.
“We as the Environment Agency are encouraging everyone to sign up to flood warnings, use our website and we can keep people alert where the river levels are at and what the latest information is so we can keep people safe.”
Mr Rawlinson added that flood basins put in place on the River Mersey in Didsbury had ‘served their purpose’ overnight and kept properties in the area dry.
“At Didsbury, the River Mersey got to very high levels very quickly, the water was pouring through there,” he said.
“What we did as an organisation, we have a couple of flood basins that we employed there, that they took the water away. It took the peak of the water off.
“The top of the river came within centimetres of the top of the river bank but our defences there have served their purpose and kept those properties dry.
“But it was very close.”
Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident on Tuesday evening due to the storm, with the Met Office warning of a 'danger to life' due to fast flowing or deep floodwater.
Due to the situation coming to a safe conclusion, it’s understood that the major incident has been stood down.
In a statement this morning Manchester council said: "River levels at both the East Didsbury and West Didsbury and Northenden Severe Flood Warning locations have now peaked.
"Water is still flowing into the basin, but they are managing. River levels are expected to drop today with no further peaks expected (Thursday 21st January).
“More rain is forecast over the weekend and into next week, the Environment Agency will have a more accurate picture on Friday."
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, homes were evacuated in Leigh as murky floodwater filled the streets.
An emergency rest centre was set up at Wythenshawe Forum and hotels were also being used for those forced to flee.
The plaza outside the Lowry Hotel was flooded as the River Irwell burst its banks between Manchester city centre and Salford.
And flood warnings were also in place along the River Irwell in Radcliffe, Bury and Ramsbottom, and the River Roch in Rochdale.
Mr Johnson chaired a Cobra crisis meeting on Wednesday after major incidents were declared across the north of England.
He told reporters: “There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey the advice and not evacuated.
“It is their right not to do so if they choose – it’s always people’s right to stay wherever they are.
“But it really is advisable – follow the advice. If you are told to leave your home then you should do so.”
Met Office forecaster Grahame Madge described Storm Christoph as “quite a slow-moving system” which is bringing “a variety of weather” to the UK.
There is a risk of further snow later in the week as Storm Christoph makes its way east, with accumulations expected in Scotland, northern England and parts of Northern Ireland, Mr Madge added.
