River levels are dropping after concerns this morning over potential flooding in Salford.
Residents in Lower Broughton and Salford were put on alert after two days of heavy rain swelled the River Irwell to above normal levels.
The Environment Agency’s automated Floodline made calls to several hundred homes this morning as levels continued to rise from the weekend.
Water falling on hard ground from previously hot weather, as we’ve had over the last week, causes more run-off and surface water.
Read: Early Monday fears as River Irwell levels spike
The Environment Agency’s monitoring station at the River Irwell on Littleton Road has now fallen down from ‘flooding possible’ at 9.15am on Monday 22 August, to ‘flooding unlikely’.
Live: The Environment Agency’s latest flood warning information levels
From a high of 3.19m earlier today the level has fallen to 2.68, at 1pm, within normal boundaries.
Steady and persistent rain is still falling into Monday afternoon but river levels appear to have peaked.
Pictures and video from residents shows high levels with the water just touching the riverbank in Lower Broughton this morning.
Lower Broughton resident Elaine Connolly spoke to SalfordOnline.com about her concerns regarding the flood alert.
Two other monitoring stations, at Adelphi Weir and Worsley Brook, are still showing as ‘flooding possible’, but from the dip in levels the threat appears to be diminishing.
Live: The Environment Agency’s latest flood warning information levels
Sue Sutton, Executive Director of Operations at Salix Homes, said: “We would like to reassure residents that we are monitoring the situation and working closely with the Environment Agency and Salford City Council.
“The Environment Agency is not anticipating any flooding to property, the water level is dropping and the forecast is positive.
“However, we have a team of officers around the Lower Broughton area speaking to residents.”
The Environment Agency says its latest advice is that they are currently not anticipating any flooding to property.
They say: “We are out clearing debris screens to minimise potential blockages and flow restriction. Further rain is forecast although this is not expected to result in any flooding to property.”
Main image by Amy Smyth
