Storm Boelo Floods Greater Manchester Roads and Blocks Rail Lines Ahead of Old Trafford Tram Closures

Roads were flooded and train lines were blocked across Greater Manchester on Saturday as the region was hit by Storm Boelo, the Manchester Evening News reported. According to a report on Facebook, two flood warnings were issued in Greater Manchester after hours of heavy rain battered the area. In Oldham, Waterloo Street had to be closed on Saturday night because of flooding as Storm Boelo caused chaos across the region, a separate Facebook update stated.

Rail passengers also faced widespread disruption as floods and fallen trees blocked train lines, resulting in Manchester services being cancelled and delayed, the Manchester Evening News reported. The severe weather affected weekend events as well, with the Manchester Evening News reporting that a popular Greater Manchester market was forced to cancel its weekend event due to storm weather warnings.

Transport disruption continued into Sunday for football supporters heading to Old Trafford. The Manchester Evening News reported on Saturday night that Manchester United fans had been issued a warning as tram lines were closed for Sunday's match at Old Trafford. A Facebook update on Saturday night noted that replacement buses were being laid on. Manchester United published team news on Saturday ahead of the Bournemouth match, while the BBC released its Premier League preview, team news, stats and head-to-head guide early on Sunday.

Elsewhere in Manchester football on Saturday, Manchester City slipped to their first Premier League loss of the season in a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, as reported by Manchester City FC, the BBC and Sky Sports. The Guardian reported that a Nicolas Jackson double saw Aston Villa end Manchester City's perfect start. At youth level, Manchester United reported that its U18s side recorded a 6-3 win over Liverpool on Saturday.

Meanwhile, travellers using Manchester Airport received separate updates for the October half-term. The Manchester Evening News reported that Manchester Airport issued an October half-term reminder over drop-off and pick-up charges, while The Bolton News reported on Sunday that Manchester Airport had been named the worst in the UK for long flight delays.