Red and yellow flood warnings - flooding is expected

Newhey Road/Dale Street, Milrow, this morning, Saturday 26 December

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Red flood warnings - flooding is expected. Immediate action required.

• River Roch at Littleborough
• Hey Brook at Rochdale, properties adjacent to the watercourse
• River Spodden at Whitworth, Daniel Street
• River Roch in Rochdale

A flood warning has been issued by the Environment Agency for the River Roch in Rochdale town centre. It means flooding is expected.

Heavy rainfall has fallen during the early hours of 26/12/15. Further heavy rainfall is forecast to fall throughout the morning and into the early afternoon which will cause levels to rise further.

The flood warning information service says: 'Onset of flooding is imminent. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Situation last changed 7:44am Saturday 26 December 2015

Yellow flood alerts - flooding is possible. Be prepared.

Upper River Irwell catchment with Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall.

River levels are rising due to persistent rain during Christmas Day. Rain is continuing through the night and rivers are expected to hit flood warning thresholds in the early hours of Boxing Day.

Areas of greatest concern are at Stubbins and Irwell Vale in Rossendale, Ramsbottom, Redvales and Bury Ground in Bury, Littleborough and Rochdale.

The flood warning information service says: 'We are monitoring the situation and will update this message as things change. Our teams are in the affected areas, clearing debris screens to minimise the risk of blockage and flow restrictions. Rain is currently expected to continue until mid afternoon on Boxing Day and may be heavier at times.'