PART of a hotel ceiling collapsed, roads were closed and trees were knocked down due to flash flooding caused by thunderstorms yesterday evening (August 12).

Firefighters were called to a number flooding incidents on the outskirts of Chester, including villages such as Tarporley, Bickerton, Utkinton, Tattenhall, Beeston and Kelsall.

A hotel, bar and several homes were all affected.

Police confirmed several road closures were in place – including the A49 Whitchurch Road at Beeston, Eaton Road, Cobblers Cross and Hickhurst Lane in Eaton – due to flash flooding and were advising motorists to stay away from those areas.

There were also reports on social media of cars being stuck in flood water on Tattenhall Lane in Beeston.

Chester and District Standard:

A photograph of the thunderstorms taken by the Chester Police Twitter account.

A fire crew from Tarporley were called at 7.25pm following reports of flash flooding at a hotel in the village.

On arrival a large amount of water was coming down the hill and flowing into the building on Cobblers Cross Lane.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The flooding had caused a part of the ceiling to collapse within the affected area and had also impacted the electrics.

"All occupants from the hotel were moved to a safe location and crews isolated the electrics.

"Firefighters also worked to protect the computer equipment within the building.

"After making the building safe the crew passed the scene over to the hotel maintenance team.

"There were no injuries and firefighters were in attendance for around one hour."

The Cheshire Police account 'Chester Police' tweeted last night: "Good evening from A block Chester. Please stay safe when out and about this evening. There are many trees down and lots of standing water."

Here is a round up of the fire service call outs yesterday evening:

  • Firefighters from Malpas were called to the A49 in Beeston where they found a car stuck in flood water underneath a railway bridge. The water was around one meter deep but thankfully the occupants had got out of the vehicle and found a safe location.
  • Crews from Malpas and Crewe were called to reports of flooding at a house on Springfield Avenue, Malpas. On arrival they found that two neighbouring addresses had been hit by flash flooding which had affected the electrics. Crews isolated the gas and electrics within the building and ensured that the occupants were taken to a safe location.
  • Crews attended reports of flash flooding at a house in Newton Lane, Tattenhall. On arrival they found that the ground floor of the detached property was approximately four inches deep in flood water. The electrics were isolated and the water was removed from the property.
  • Firefighters from Nantwich and Powey Lane were called to reports of a flooding at a bar in High Street, Tarporley. On arrival they found that the cellar of the building was flooded and the water had affected the electrics.
  • Crews from Winsford were deployed to reports of flash flooding at a house in Eaton Road, Tarporley. On arrival the crew found that heavy rain flowing down a nearby road had caused flooding on the ground floor of the terraced property The crew worked to clear the flood water and isolated the electricity within the building. They also helped the home owner to salvage their belongings and move them to the first floor. A number of neighbouring properties were also on the verge of flooding so firefighters also helped them to move their belongings to a safe location as a precautionary measure.
  • Firefighters were called to reports of flooding at a residential address in Dingle Lane, Kelsall. On arrival they found that the ground floor had been affected by flood water. The crew isolated the gas and electrics to the address, they then used a large pump to remove the water from the address.
  • Firefighers from Audlem cleared a number of branches which had fallen on the A41 Whitchurch Road in Malpas. The crew were detained at the scene for around ten minutes.
  • Firefighters were called following reports of a car stuck in flood water in Goldford Lane, Malpas. On arrival the crews rescued the male driver of the car and took him to safety.
  • Crews attended a flooded property on Sherrington Lane, Broxton. It is believed that a nearby stream had overflowed due to the weather and had caused the flooding. Sand bags were used to assist in reducing the flood water.

In total Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Crews dealt with 26 incidents between 7pm yesterday and 7am today, of which 24 were weather related.