Significant heavy rainfall has fallen in the North West since Monday evening – with a number of flood warnings in place across Greater Manchester – and is expected to continue through the rest of the week.
An amber weather warning for rain is currently in place for Greater Manchester.
The Flood Information Service has put warnings in place for 12 locals areas so far.
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This includes the River Roch at Littleborough, River Roch in Rochdale, the River Mersey at Cheadle Wood and Ford Lane, and Walsden Water.
The River Mersey has been highlighted as the main area of current concern.
This relates to Didsbury, Northenden, Sale, and potentially leading into parts of Stretford and Flixton.
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Greater Manchester Police has also declared a ‘major incident’, warning residents that flooding is now expected in several parts, and stating that: “The safety of the public is our number one priority and we’re continuing to work alongside partner agencies across the region.
“Whilst we appreciate that everyone has been told to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic, we want to make it clear that should members of the public need to evacuate to protect themselves due to flooding then that is the priority and you should follow your local authority’s advice regarding evacuation.”
At the Mayor Andy Burnham’s press conference this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey – Chair of the GM Strategic Coordination Group for Storm Christoph – gave an additional update on the latest information across the region.
He said the main risk in the Greater Manchester area is around the River Mersey relating to Didsbury, Northenden, Sale, and potentially leading into parts of Stretford and Flixton.
“As we speak, residents across those areas are being contacted by the Environment Agency and local authorities to advise them. Alerts have already been put out [and] people there are being advised to consider evacuation procedures should that happen.
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“We are going to start to see the overflow contingency provisions at around 5pm.
“That will reach a peak at around 11pm this evening where we will see flooding of those areas.”
He continued: “In its worst-case scenario, estimated by Environment Agency, that could impact on up to 3,000 properties across all the areas
“This is a significant incident in terms of disruption to population.”
ACC Nick Bailey said those 3,000 properties may not have to evacuate, and local authorities would work “right up to the last minute” to prevent it.
A flood warning means you need to act as flooding is expected, and you should:
Move vehicles to higher ground, if it’s safe to do so.
Move family and pets to safety.
Move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings.
Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water.
If you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them now keep track of the latest situation.
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You can find further details regarding the flood warnings issued across the region on the gov.uk website, and more information can also be found via the Met Office.
News
Microdot exhibit for BRITs 2026: the artwork of Oasis, Verve and more up in Manchester Piccadilly
Danny Jones
If you’ve passed through Manchester Piccadilly of late, you might have noticed two things: one, it’s really quiet, and two, there’s loads of cool Britpop merch and memorabilia on display, including original Oasis, The Verve, Inspiral Carpets art and more – all courtesy of Microdot.
Set up as part of the city’s own BRITs celebrations, along with a raft of other nationwide festivities, as the annual music award ceremony prepares to make its Manc debut at the Co-op Live this month, the showcase features special edition frames and more, all pride of place in the middle of the train station.
This collection, simply entitled ‘A Microdot Design’, is all done by the legendary Brian Cannon, the graphic designer and art director behind so much recognisable visual material within the genre.
We recently had the honour of speaking to the man himself in person ahead of Piccadilly’s temporary closure; you can see our interview with him right here:
The Wigan-born artist and visionary didn’t just make promotional materials for some of the biggest bands in the 1990s; he’s responsible for what has gone on to become some of the most familiar iconography in British music history.
With this pop-up exhibit available for a limited time only, we strongly urge you to go along and, for once, take your time rather than rushing around the station as you peruse the boards placed right near the main entrance.
Charting his work from circa 1990 up until now, it’s crazy to see just how many of Brian and Microdot’s fingerprints are all over so many different bands and artists.
From native names like Oasis, The Verve and the Inspirals, as mentioned, as well as the likes of Cast, Super Furry Animals, Suede and Ash, plus so many more, this guy has been nothing short of prolific over the past few decades.
Audio North took a little tour of the King Street South unit last year in the lead-up to Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour, and we felt like kids in a Britpop sweetshop.
While this site has sadly since closed, shutting up shop back in July, Brian’s mini, modest, but nevertheless magic Microdot Boutique up in the Lake District is still standing.
Located in the popular North West town and tourist attraction, Kendal, it’s worth a trip there to see more of his portfolio alone.
Currently on display at Manchester Piccadilly ahead of the full 2026 BRITs Week and shindig at Co-op Live, it’s one of the best completely free things you can do in town at the moment – but the exhibition finishes on Sunday, 1 March, so make sure you don’t miss it.
Speaking of the BRIT Awards, if you’re wondering what else is on as 0161 gets ready welcome them for their two-year stint (at least), look no further…
Two brothers from Oldham are beating out the likes of Taylor Swift in the iTunes charts
Danny Jones
A pair of brothers from Oldham who simply go by Two Connors are now holding on to the top spot in one of the biggest iTunes charts, and they’re beating the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and many more.
Stuff your global music stars, we’ll back a duo from Greater Manchester all day long.
Danny and Callum Connor, a couple of blokes from Oldham in their mid-30s, are currently number one in the iTunes singles charts with their latest song, ‘Familiar Faces’, but this isn’t the first time they’ve gone big with a release online.
Carving out their own little corner not only in the old Lancashire borough but a small pocket in the UK’s wider grime, drill, rap and hip-hop scene, they’ve only gotten bigger over the last 18 months or so.
After releasing their first two tracks back in 2024, Callum and Danny have been on a very gradual rise, but they quickly gained a cult local following in and around Oldham.
Writing about life and around the area, with high personal and anecdotal lyrics that feel like niche references and in-jokes specifically for‘Roughyed’ residents – it’s not just music by them but FOR them.
In addition to recording their own unique cover of ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran, they also went fairly viral for releasing a music video featuring crowds of local children.
Putting their own chant-based chorus slant on ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho, “It’s off to Work We Go”‘, written by Mitch Miller and The Sandpipers (yes, as in the main theme from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), it was a fairly radio-friendly tune that was easy for kids and more to sing along with.
With various other natives getting involved in the music video, joining them on the town centre streets and lip-syncing the lyrics, it was circulated online all over Britain and beyond.
You can watch it in full down below.
Fast forward to February 2026, and not only have they grown their following across the region, but even further afield now, as it turns out; currently sitting ahead of ‘Opalite’ from worldwide smash-hit album, The Life of a Showgirl, who needs big label backing, eh?
Bringing smiles to even more Greater Mancs by quite literally shining the spotlight on ‘Familiar Faces’ and punters from nearby pubs such as The Up Stepps Inn and former nightclub Sruples, it is a real tribute to their homeland.
Only time will tell how long they’ll cling to that iTunes top spot, but with nearly 73,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and counting, they might be one of the biggest music names to come out of OL in some time.
In other big news over in Oldham, on the sporting side of things, RLFC are staring down yet more uncertainty, with local hero Bill Quinn also wrapping up his time at the club.
The Manc -
20th January 2021 
