Homes flooded and roads closed as torrential rain batters Merseyside

Merseyside was battered by torrential rain today as heavy flooding caused chaos across much of the region. Roads were closed, public transport services were halted and homes were evacuated as floods reached knee-level in some areas.

The Met Office said between 20mm and 40mm of rain was expected to fall quite widely with a few places seeing up to 60mm during the course of the day. The persistent and at times heavy rain finally eased at around 8pm.

Bootle and Seaforth saw the worst of the floods. Houses on Bulwer Street in Bootle were evacuated by emergency services while the floods were dealt with. Witnesses described the scene outside their house as being like a "swimming pool".

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42 local residents were evacuated after their homes were completely flooded during the torrential downpours. Others chose to stay put in their homes, take refuge at a local community centre, or make alternative accommodation arrangements, Mersey Fire and Rescue said.

The Echo spoke to Joan Porter, a woman who lives on Bulwer Street, who "lost everything" 10 years ago when her home was flooded. Joan said: "I'd say it's about two feet high in the house now, so my brand new sofa is just floating in the living room. We're going to lose everything again, like we did the last time."

Several road closures were in place as emergency services tried to ease the chaos. Crosby Road South was closed and police were called in to restrict access to the road as the water levels rose. Heavy congestion could be seen building on one side of the road.

A witness, who was driving by Crosby Road South before it was closed by police, told the ECHO: "I couldn't see much from where I was but it seemed as though cars were stuck in the flood, it looked quite bad. I feel awful for the people who are stuck in their cars and just want to get home and get warm. I can't believe the road hasn't been flood-proofed before."

Another witness saw a woman and child being rescued from a car after it had been submerged in water on Seaforth Road. She told the ECHO: "The poor woman was taken out her car by police. A policewoman took the child out and was holding him. He was about three years old."

Elsewhere, the M58 was closed following a car crash. Witnesses reported seeing an air ambulance at the scene. Queen's Drive was also closed due to flooding from Dovedale Road to North Mossley Hill Road.

Several roads in Cheshire were also closed due to heavy flooding. Halebank Road was blocked in both directions, and Chester Road also faced closure due to flooding between Daresbury Expressway and Hobb Lane. Lower Road in Halewood was closed, as vehicles were stranded and flooding reached knee-height.

Due to the torrential weather, public transport services were affected, with Merseyrail announcing that "due to flooding, services on the Chester and Ellesmere Port lines will start and terminate at Rock Ferry. Rail replacement buses have been requested between Rock Ferry & Chester, and Rock Ferry and Ellesmere Port. Not yet in operation."

Arriva North West announced a number of diversions, including services 47/63/54 being diverted via Princess Way, Bridge Road, Linacre Road, and Stanley road in both directions.

Tuesday and Wednesday will remain mostly dry, according to the Met Office. The website says: "Mostly dry at first with bright spells. Cloud thickening from the east during the morning bringing some light rain at times, especially to hills inland, where it remains rather windy. Maximum temperature 15 °C."