FIREFIGHTERS have been working tirelessly around the clock this week to deal with flooding issues across Cheshire.

Cheshire has been one of the worst affected areas in the UK from Storm Christoph, and crews have been pumping water away and rescuing stranded residents.

Northwich in particular has been badly hit by Storm Christoph, while residents were also evacuated in Winsford and mid Cheshire villages.

Crews responded to more than 100 incidents in 24 hours up to Thursday morning across the county, and more than 150 Cheshire residents were evacuated as of this morning, January 22.

Neil Griffiths, head of service delivery at Cheshire Fire and Rescue, said: “We’ve seen an extraordinary effort from our firefighters these past few days in the face of some really challenging conditions.

 

“Unfortunately, many people have been displaced from their homes in the wake of these floods, and I have to commend the skills of our crews in ensuring that we have been able to get to those who needed our help and bring them to safety.

“Our work isn’t done. Though we are seeing most of the flood waters recede, there are ongoing concerns in the Farndon area after the River Dee burst its banks this morning, while we’ve still got Northwich town centre and some parts of Warrington closed off.

With Cheshire’s firefighters working frantically to tackle Storm Christoph, colleagues from other counties have offered a helping hand.

This includes four fire engines from Lancaster, Darwen, Nelson and Penwortham, in Lancashire, who travelled to Northwich to rescue pensioners from Weaver Court.

Around 50 residents were picked up by the crews and taken by boat to dry land, before being taken to Memorial Court and given hot refreshments, while three people in a neighbouring property were also rescued.

Throughout the week, the service has worked with other agencies under the banner of the Cheshire Resilience Forum, with colleagues from Cheshire Police, Warrington and Cheshire West councils, and the Environment Agency all playing key roles in the response.