Defences praised as Northwich avoids another devastating flood

Northwich has experienced two major floods in recent years, with nearly two dozen homes flooded in October 2019 before Storm Christoph saw the town centre submerged in 2021.

However, thanks to action from Cheshire West and Chester Council and their partners, the impact of Storm Henk was kept to a minimum.

“Flood defences in Northwich town centre had a positive impact,” said Cllr Karen Shore, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for environment, highways and transport.

"These were deployed in line with the Northwich Flood Plan. Pumping equipment from the council, Environment Agency and United Utilities was put in position ready to remove water.

“These actions helped to ensure that there would be no repeat of the flooding in the town centre during Storm Christoph in 2021.

“We would like to thank residents and officers for their support in limiting the impact of Storm Henk.”

Residents of Northwich Quay Marina were evacuated (Image: Tango Down Airsoft)

Storm Henk brought heavy and continuous rain in the early parts of this week.

The council worked with Cheshire Police, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, the NHS, United Utilities and the Environment Agency to respond to the storm and mitigate its effects.

A “Major Incident Stand-By” was declared, the council has now confirmed.

As such, phase two of Northwich’s emergency flood plan was put in place with flood barriers erected and London Road closed.

Emergency services were called in to help with the flood plan (Image: Stonehewer Moss Solicitors)

However, the Major Incident Stand-By has now ended and as such all roads are back open and the barriers have been taken down.

Meanwhile, residents of Northwich Quay Marina have been able to return to their boats after being evacuated by the fire service.

Cllr Shore said: “The council’s highways department has now reopened all roads previously impacted by Storm Henk, including London Road.

The London Road closure brought traffic in Northwich town centre to a standstill (Image: Tango Down Airsoft)

"People living at Northwich Marina were successfully evacuated with the support of the Police and the Environment Agency, with the council arranging temporary hotel accommodation for those people who could not stay with family or friends. All residents are now returning to their homes.

“The StreetCare team has conducted emergency sweeping of roads and grids and cleared areas where water had subsided as quickly as possible to ensure the safe reopening of roads.

“The jetty at Northwich has also been jet-washed, allowing residents at the marina to return to their homes.”