New Year's Day chaos as flooding sparks major incident following torrential downpours

At least 1,3000 people were evacuated across Greater Manchester amid severe New Year's Day flooding as a major incident was declared.

Houses, flats, shops, businesses, hotels, green spaces and car parks were flooded amid torrential downpours. Heavy showers started on Tuesday evening (December 31) and continued overnight into Wednesday morning (January 1).

Parts of Greater Manchester saw more than 80mm - three inches - of rainfall in 24 hours, causing rivers to burst their banks and roads to flood. Some 72 flood alerts were in place across Greater Manchester as the region woke up. By Wednesday evening, 16 remained in place.

MAJOR INCIDENT LIVE: Hundreds rescued by boat, hotel and homes evacuated and submerged cars abandoned amid horrendous flooding

Flooding led to havoc on the roads as stretches across the region were shut. Cars were abandoned after becoming submerged. People in blocks of flats were trapped, with lower floors underwater.

Homes and hotels were evacuated, with residents left unable to return in the worst-hit areas of Didsbury, Trafford, Stockport and Wigan. Areas in other parts of south and north Manchester and Tameside were also impacted. Emergency refuge centres have been set up across the region.

In pictures: Major roads submerged, cars left floating and homes cut off as 'severe' flooding hits Greater Manchester

Hundreds of people were rescued by emergency services on boats. Incidents, led by Greater Manchester Police, saw 400 people evacuated from apartments in Stockport; at least 500 rescued from a hotel in south Manchester; and 400 others saved in the Didsbury area.

Electricity North West estimated around 2,800 properties were, at one point, experiencing power outages across the north west.