THE worst September storm for more than 30 years caused chaos in the Chester area this week.
More than three inches of rain fell on Monday and Tuesday, leaving roads flooded across the city and rural areas, while hampering the rail network.
Merseyrail and Arriva Trains Wales cancelled dozens of trains, replacing them with a limited coach service.
Arriva Trains Wales also took to Twitter to advise passengers not to travel in North Wales and between Chester, Crewe and Wrexham, while offering ticket refunds for cancelled services.
Willaston Church of England Primary School, Willaston, shut its doors on Tuesday due to a lack of power.
Two of the worst affected rural areas were Guilden Sutton, which was almost completely cut off on Monday, and Farndon, where the River Dee breached its banks on Wednesday morning and flooded acres of farmland. The River Alyn in Rossett also rose dangerously high, while in Chester, Parkgate Road was closed inbound until Wednesday.
A chicken drowned at an allotment on Stadium Way, Chester on Monday night, but fortunately an RSPCA inspector managed to rescue the others which are now safe at the charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, near Nantwich.
The RSPCA is appealing for the owner to call the centre on 0300 123 0722 between 9am-5pm so they can be reunited.
Other blackspots included the roundabouts outside Chester Business Park, roads surrounding the Balderton Brook in Saltney, Lache Lane, sections of the A56 and roads around Mickle Trafford.
Brio Leisure closed golf courses while driving tests were cancelled on Monday as conditions were too hazardous.
The Chester FC FA Cup qualifying round replay with Gainsborough Trinity was called off following a pitch inspection on Wednesday afternoon.
However, Chester Racecourse’s final race meeting of the year on Saturday is expected to proceed as normal.
There is brighter news as today (Thursday) is forecast to be the first of a dry and sunny spells for the area.
