Local businesses flooded and streets deluged as Altrincham hit by freak storm

A freak weather event has seen almost unprecedented rain in Altrincham and Hale this evening – with a number of businesses flooded.

The dramatic storm hit the town shortly after 8.20 this evening and led to torrents of water flowing through Altrincham and Hale centres.

A number of businesses on Stamford New Road, including Pure Gym, Ginkgo and Gran T’s Coffee House, have suffered some flood damage, with others in the area – including Goose Green – believed to be affected too.

Dramatic scenes on The Downs:

There’s also interior flood damage at the Market Street entrance to the Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Various videos taken around town have revealed the force of the storm, with raging torrents of water streaming down numerous roads including The Downs and Regent Road.

A walk down Regent Road at the height of the storm:

In another video, two men were forced to make a quick escape after picking up a takeaway from Nando’s, with shin-high water filling the width of Cross Street down to the junction with Stamford New Road.

Other pictures showed a car submerged on South Downs Road in Hale.

A Met Office picture tweeted by BBC Weatherman Simon King, an Altrincham resident who was playing golf at Dunham Forest Golf Club when the storm came, showed Altrincham at almost the epicentre of a major weather event.

The storm was preceded by an unusual, constant rumbling, rather than a traditional thunderclap, before the downpour came in torrential fashion. A picture taken by Owain Sutton showed the considerable size of the hailstones that fell.

More videos and pictures from the storm: