RESIDENTS have been evacuated from a Northwich retirement village.

Storm Christoph has battered Northwich with heavy rain and snow, with the town waking up to flooding this morning.

Relatives raised concerns for their loved ones at Weaver Court this morning as the London Road retirement village was cut off, with no heating or power, due to flooding.

First Port, the development's management company, told the Guardian residents would be evacuated today.

A spokesman said: "The safety of our residents is our utmost priority.

"As the development currently has no electricity, we are working with the council to safely evacuate residents to a nearby hotel today.

"We will do all we can to support our residents, and to get the development habitable as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, Marbury Court, in Chesterway, was also set for evacuation with a move to hotel accommodation announced this afternoon.

But Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed on Thursday evening that residents would instead stay at the site.

The Guardian contacted Weaver Court this morning, where a member of staff said they werein need of hot drinks and hot food.

Around 50 residents and staff were believed to be stuck in the building without power.

Northwich Guardian:

Residents escape from Weaver Court. Image: SWNS

Lesley Davenport, whose 87-year-old grandma and 94-year-old granddad live at Weaver Court, told the Guardian: “They are going to be really cold – that is the main concern.

“There was a lady wading through the water, waist deep, just to get to the building. We are all het up – nothing seems to be getting done.

“I’ve been out here for a hour and a half and they just seem to be having meeting after meeting. The houseboats were evacuated yesterday and that’s when they should have evacuated Weaver Court.”

Joan Ferrario was desperately trying to find out if her mother Pam was OK, but was unable to get through on the phone.

Northwich Guardian:

She said: “They’ve no electricity, they’ve no telephones, whether they are going to evacuate them or not I don’t know at the moment. I’m trying to get information from her care people.

“I’m absolutely furious. It should not be happening this. The flood defences are holding, but there is so much surface water, the drains can’t take it.

“I doubt I’ll get in to see her but I just want to know she is safe. We’ve just got no way of getting in touch with them.

“There is a manager there so I’m sure she is looking after them all.”

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