A decade on from the worst floods in living memory, Greater Manchester may be more at risk than ever

Keri Muldoon’s story from a decade ago highlights the chaos of the 2015 Boxing Day floods in Greater Manchester. Her home was inundated, leaving her and her kids with nothing but memories, as they navigated the aftermath for months. The floods impacted thousands, with severe damage and emergency responses stretched thin. Storm Desmond and Storm Eva combined to wreak havoc, flooding 2,250 homes and businesses, and costing the region £11.5m in infrastructure damage. Despite a £10m flood defence initiative and over £10bn pledged for flood protections nationally, the risk remains, with repeated incidents causing ongoing concerns. Experts emphasise that climate change has triggered more intense rainfall, making flooding a more common occurrence. As the region grapples with this reality, the focus is shifting from prevention to resilience—equipping communities and properties to withstand future floods. It’s a challenging situation, but the community spirit and adaptability shine through in their response.

Read the full article at Manchester Evening News