Flash flooding is causing all sorts of problems on Merseyside today.
Roads have been closed, cars have been left trapped and some residents have even been forced to abandon their homes according to the Liverpool Echo.
And the heavy rain - which has also hit parts of North Wales this morning prompting an existing weather warning to be extended - could cause problems for commuters heading over the border today.
In Liverpool, the city's Queens Drive is closed due to the flooding as The Met Office is predicting the Merseyside is in for a month of rain.
While in flood-hit Deysbrook Lane in West Derby the water levels are so bad that there are reports people are having to leave their properties.
The River Alt has also burst its banks closing The Kirkby Centre and Kirkby Gallery and Library.
Bad weather has seen queueing traffic on the M53 - close to the border with North Wales - Northbound from J9 A5032 Station Road (Ellesmere Port) to J6 (Hooton).
And earlier today there was surface water on the M57 from A59 (Switch Island) to J3 B5198 (Stockbridge Village).
Traffic was also heavier than normal on the M62 Westbound from J5 A5080 Roby Road ( Huyton ) to J4 A5080 Bowring Park Road (The Rocket).
The Met Office have warned England and Wales can expect 30mm to 50mm of rain in a short time today, with 70mm in isolated spots.
Key Events
Roads closed due to flooding
The excessive rainfall earlier today has left a series of roads closed, here’s some of the main roads affected:
- One lane closed and heavy traffic due to flooding on M53 Northbound from J7 B5132 Netherpool Road (Overpool) to J6 (Hooton).
- Kirkby Row closed, slow traffic due to flooding from A506 Valley Road to James Holt Avenue.
- Hall Road East in both directions closed due to flooding from The Serpentine North to Dibb Lane.
Roads flooded in Aintree
@LivEchonews wango lane in aintree flooded as of right now pic.twitter.com/mxIsb61YPz
— Philip Barry (@Noodlepig) September 24, 2019
Weather watch
And some of the weather-related stories we have written today.
Old Swan or Old Swan Lake?
Old Swan is more like Old Swan Lake as these ECHO reader’s pictures show.
And below Wharncliffe Road.
The scene at Croxteth Hall
Blimey - the scene at Croxteth Hall.
M53 lane closure
Warning if you use the M53.
Pictures show flood damage in West Derby
The closed Deysbrook Lane in West Derby which - as these pictures show - has been damaged by the flood water.
Deysbrook Lane
Deysbrook Lane in both directions blocked, slow traffic due to flooding near Melwood Drive.
Police statement
This just in from Police:
Merseyside Police can confirm a number of roads in West Derby and Kirkby are closed following heavy rainfall this morning (Tuesday, 24 September 2019).
The force is assisting with road closures around Kirkby Row and Deysbrook Lane, and liaising with the local authority and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Officers have also helped a small number of people out of cars which became stuck in the water.
For more information please visit your local authority’s website.Merseyside Police can confirm a number of roads in West Derby and Kirkby are closed following heavy rainfall this morning (Tuesday, 24 September 2019).
The force is assisting with road closures around Kirkby Row and Deysbrook Lane, and liaising with the local authority and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Officers have also helped a small number of people out of cars which became stuck in the water.
For more information please visit your local authority’s website.
Rain and trains
Not strictly weather related but due to trespassers on the railway some West Kirby and New Brighton lines are disrupted say Merseyrail Disruption is expected until 11:45am.
Elsewhere...
The Kirkby Centre closed
Reminder the River Alt has also burst its banks closing The Kirkby Centre and Kirkby Gallery and Library.
Buses affected amid Kirkby floods
Flooding in Kirkby is affecting some bus services.
M53 flooding
Flooding on the M53 Northbound from J7 B5132 Netherpool Road (Overpool) to J6 (Hooton). Approach with care.
Queens Drive also flooded
Dramatic pictures show an abandoned car on waterlogged Queens Drive , which travel monitors INRIX say is blocked in both directions “due to flooding from North Mossley Hill Road to Dovedale Road”.
Liverpool Lib Dem leader Richard Kemp also took to Twitter to warn people to avoid the road on a day when the Met Office predict we are in for a month of rain .
Cllr Kemp said: “SOUTH LIVERPOOL WARNING. Queens Drive flooded at railway bridge near Liverpool College. All nearby roads suffering heavy traffic. Try and avoid.”
phew ..had easier walk to school days than this morning.... pic.twitter.com/TZYz9p0nwn
— Clare McIntyre (@ClareMcPlus4) September 24, 2019
Flood water "inch" from entering properties
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines and a search and rescue vehicle to the Deysbrook Lane/Melwood Drive area, which arrived on scene at 9.18am.
The crews attended to a taxi stuck in the water, and officers said the flood water was “approximately an inch from entering the doors of properties.”
The occupants of the taxi were helped onto dry ground.
Four other drivers were also forced to abandon their vehicles, and had been advised to contact their insurance companies about recovery.
Video of the flash floods in West Derby
Pictures show the flooding in West Derby
Residents in Deysbrook Lane, West Derby, have been forced to leave their homes due to heavy flooding.
One resident said: “People have had to leave at least 10 properties. We are waiting for the fire engine”
Forced to leave homes
Residents in Deysbrook Lane, West Derby, have been forced to leave their homes due to heavy flooding.
One resident said: “People have had to leave at least 10 properties. We are waiting for the fire engine”
