
The Britannia Country House Hotel in Didsbury was surrounded by high water, making it impossible for people to leave on their own. Rescue teams arrived with boats to help evacuate the guests safely.
One person who saw what was happening told the *Manchester Evening News*: “There are boats here now. A police officer told us there’s no power in the hotel, and they’re using torches to see inside.”
Another local resident, Sarah Baram, who is 40 years old, said her apartment building was also evacuated. She had to leave her home and stay with her family nearby. She explained, “At 7:30 a.m., everything seemed fine, but by 9 a.m., when I went to the car park, water started pouring into the lift.
We had to use the stairs to get out. At first, the water was only calf-deep, but by the time we came back later, it was knee-deep, and it kept rising. By 11 a.m., the water level had gone up by about half a meter. Now we can’t go back inside, and we don’t have any of our belongings.”
Greater Manchester Police shared a statement earlier in the day, saying that around 500 people were being evacuated from the hotel as part of their emergency plans.
They also said that the River Mersey, which had overflowed and caused much of the flooding, was starting to go down. While about 400 homes in the area were still affected by water, widespread evacuations were not needed for now.
Authorities declared a “major incident” because of the extreme weather. Areas that were hit the hardest include Bolton, Harpurhey, Stalybridge, Stockport, Wigan, and Didsbury, where the hotel is located.
The Britannia Country House Hotel has been in the news before because it houses asylum seekers. In 2021, it was at the center of a controversy when an asylum seeker was found dead in one of the rooms.
Speaking about the situation, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose from Greater Manchester Police said emergency services have been working hard to protect people and their communities. She highlighted the important role of the fire service in rescuing people and controlling the situation.
She added, “Thanks to everyone’s efforts so far, no one has been seriously hurt. We are grateful to the public for their patience, especially with the road closures, and for helping each other during this difficult time.
If you’re still affected, please stay updated with information from your local council, the fire service, and Transport for Greater Manchester. They can provide support and guidance.”
The situation remains challenging, but the authorities are continuing to monitor it closely and provide help where needed.