Homes evacuated as severe flooding brings disruption to parts of England

A major incident was declared in Poynton, Cheshire, as heavy rain affected parts of the country.

Image: A girl is carried to safety. Pic: Poynton Fire Station

At least 11 people from a small Cheshire town were rescued from flood waters within four hours of each other, according to the local fire station.
Severe flooding resulted in a major incident being declared on Wednesday in Poynton, as heavy rain fell across parts of the country.

Swathes of central, north-west and north-east England were covered by multiple flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency.
An all-day yellow warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms was issued by the Met Office for England northwards from Manchester, Sheffield and Lincoln.
Further downpours are expected to hit England on Thursday, but forecasters predict the rain will not be as heavy.

On Wednesday, Poynton Fire Station reported its crews had been to more than 20 incidents over seven hours, while police in nearby Wilmslow homes were evacuated and residents settled into a children's centre repurposed as a refuge .

Police warned locals not to ignore "road closed" signs by driving or walking through water.

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"Your car could become submerged and the road underneath could have collapsed, putting you in danger," the Macclesfield North and Poynton police Twitter account said.
A video posted online by Poynton Fire Station showed their emergency vehicle having to drive through high, muddy waters.
:: 'Raging torrents' as 'horrific' flooding hits Yorkshire

Image: A car stranded in flood water in Crossley Road in Manchester this week

In Horwich, Bolton, Jess, 20, said she and her dog had been caught in the heavy rain which flooding reaching her shins.
She said: "I had my dog with me and as we crossed the road she almost got swept away, so I had to pull her across to me and pick her up.
"I then waded through the rest of the water, about a foot and a half deep. I've never seen water that deep in such a residential area before."