Homes in Manchester are to be evacuated due to flooding caused by Storm Christoph, police have said.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has identified about 160 people that will be moved from their properties in the Didsbury area of the city.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey warned that some of those affected would "be Covid-positive or isolating at home".
Earlier, Boris Johnson urged people to follow evacuation advice.
He said the government was working to ensure it was "totally prepared" for floods "in every part of the UK".
A major incident has been declared for the Greater Manchester area where up to 3,000 properties are feared to be at risk.
In an alert to those affected, ACC Bailey said: "A basin at Didsbury to take water from the Mersey is full. It will over-top in the next few hours. As a result we will be issuing a flood warning to homes.
"This will be through texted flood alerts to some people, and police officers, PCSOs, firefighters, and volunteers will be knocking on doors."
He said police will be supported by North West Ambulance, the British Red Cross and St John's Ambulance.
"I think it's important to stress that if you are contacted and advised to evacuate then we would strongly urge you to do so," he added.
'Situation developing'
Speaking after a Cobra emergency meeting, Mr Johnson said work was under way to ensure transport and energy networks, and local council services, were prepared.
He added that work was also taking place to ensure the necessary numbers of sandbags were available.
"We want to make sure that we are totally prepared in every part of the UK for flooding, because it is coming on top of the stress people are already under fighting Covid," he said.
"We looked at particularly Manchester, we've got a situation potentially developing there," Mr Johnson said.
"We are looking at a pattern of rainfall possibly not as bad at the end of this week, maybe worse next week."
GMP said the main areas of concern were at Didsbury, Northenden and Sale, with water levels expected to peak at 23.00 GMT.
People in Greater Manchester have also been advised not to travel.
Stephen Rhodes, from Transport from Greater Manchester, said there was disruption across the network.
"Let's work together and not put our emergency services and the NHS - who are already working extremely hard due to the Covid-19 pandemic - under any more pressure," he said.
Elsewhere in England:
- In Cheshire, 33 people were moved from their houseboats on Hayhurst Marina as water levels rose
- Flood warnings remain in place in both West and North Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire Police said anyone forced to leave home and stay with relatives would not face a fine for breaching Covid restrictions
- The Ouse in York is expected to peak at 4.4 (14.4ft) to 4.8m (15.7ft) on Thursday evening
The Environment Agency has issued more than 100 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected and immediate action required, while there are also more than 200 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible.
Mr Johnson urged people not to stay in their homes if they were told to evacuate.
"There are some times where I have been to scenes where, alas, people have decided not to obey the advice and not evacuated," he said.
"But it really is advisable - follow the advice.
"If you are told to leave your home then you should do so.
"People may think this is a minor issue at the moment, still relevantly minor by standards of previous floods, but never underestimate the suffering, the misery, that floods can cause people."
The North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands have been preparing for widespread flooding following the Met Office's amber weather warning for heavy rain until midday Thursday.
More than 120mm (nearly 5in) of rain has already fallen in some parts of England, with 123.4mm at Honister Pass in Cumbria in the 24 hours up to 06:00 GMT on Wednesday.
The Met Office said some isolated areas could see up to 200mm (7.8in).
Labour's shadow floods minister Stephanie Peacock said urgent action was needed.
"Once again the government's response to inevitable flood events has been slow and uncoordinated," the Barnsley East MP said.
"We must ensure councils are supported to protect people, businesses, and local communities, and that all of the necessary precautions are also in place to protect those fighting the floods in light of the Covid-19 pandemic."
Around the BBC
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2021-01-20 20:50:00Z
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