EMERGENCY services have been praised for their response to the flash floods that swamped communities across Cheshire East.
Firefighters rescued people from flooded properties in Poynton, Bollington, Wilmslow and Bramhall as between 60-90mm of rain fell in 24 hours.
A "major incident" was declared as Cheshire Police co-ordinated a multi-agency response to the effects of the deluge.
Firefighters attended 42 flood-related incidents and emergency refuge centres were set up in Poynton and Handforth.
A bridge in Higher Poynton collapsed as the waters continued to rise. Roads were also closed in Congleton, Adlington and Disley. Parts of Bramhall were also submerged.
The highways team at Cheshire East Council responded to more than 150 road-related flooding calls. Rail services in the area were also affected.
As the waters subsided and the big clean-up got underway, Tatton MP Esther McVey said: "I would like to thank our excellent emergency services who have rescued people in the past days and are continuing to work around the clock to keep us safe."
She also revealed that she has raised the situation with her ministerial colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The MP said: "I highlighted my concerns about flooding on the A555 (Stockport Council) Airport Road and the A34 Alderley Edge Bypass, both comparatively new roads and expressed my concerns how they were designed in such a way this should happen."
A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: "As water levels recede, the authority will focus on inspecting the highways network, clearing away any debris, assessing the requirement for repair work and continue to respond to any requests for assistance from members of the public."
A spokesman for Bollington Town Council said: "It is the worst flood that Bollington and the immediate local area have experienced for a very long time.
"We would like to recognise the community effort in dealing with the effects of the flooding and those who have provided their time and equipment to help, including those who have aided and comforted those who are displaced from their homes."
And a Poynton Council spokesman added: "A huge thank you to the emergency services for their tireless work and to all those volunteers who filled and delivered sandbags and did all they could to assist their neighbours and the community."
Greater Manchester firefighters rescued 11 people and four dogs from Bridge Lane in Bramhall.
A 13-year-old boy was rescued from Happy Valley Nature Reserve in Hazel Grove after he became stranded by flowing water. And one of the firefighters involved in the initial rescue fell into the "fast-flowing" water and also had to be rescued.
People were also brought to safety from properties in Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme.
Fire crews from Cheshire were among dozens of teams from across the UK drafted in to help the Whaley Bridge community deal with a damaged dam in danger of collapsing and flooding the town.
Experts are also assessing the damage at Lyme Park in Disley, which remains closed after severe flooding.