Threat of floods as Met Office issues another yellow weather warning

Monday, 9 August 2021 11:25

A yellow warning is in place in Northern Ireland today

By Q Radio News

Northern Ireland could be hit with more storms and floods today, as the Met Office issues another yellow weather warning.

There is a chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.

Between noon and 9pm tonight, thirty to fifty millimetres of rain could fall in places over the space of several hours, with thundery showers also forecast.

Northern Ireland could be hit with more storms and floods today, as the Met Office issues another yellow weather warning.https://t.co/uUCYL75ILo
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) August 9, 2021

Meanwhile West Tyrone MP Orfhlaith Begley says her constituency must be prioritised to address recurring flooding.

Some of the worst affected areas included the Ballycolman in Strabane and the public house 'Big John's in Sion Mills which were flooded.

Ms Begley is calling on the Infrastructure Minister to prioritise a ministerial visit to West Tyrone to hear first hand the impact it is having locally.

She said:

“On Saturday 8th August it was heartbreaking to witness once again local residents and business owners being subjected to flooding.

“I witnessed first hand the efforts of local volunteers, statutory bodies and the fire service, which narrowly prevented flooding to homes at Ballycolman, Koram Square, Carlton Drive, Garten Avenue and other areas of Strabane town. Unfortunately however homes at Pearse Gardens were flooded and the public house ‘Big John’s’ in Sion Mills.

“I commend all those who assisted in the effort to prevent flooding of homes and local businesses.

“On several occasions residents especially in Ballycolman and Pearse Gardens, Strabane have been subjected to flooding along with other local businesses.

“It is simply unacceptable that every time we have heavy rain these residents and businesses are at risk of being flooded.

“On previous occasions of flooding local residents have received reassurances that action would be taken to prevent future flooding and that the drainage system would be regularly maintained.

“Following the flooding on Saturday I have requested that Minister Mallon prioritise a ministerial visit to West Tyrone to hear first hand the detrimental impact this is having on local residents.

“I have expressed to the Minister the deep frustration within the community in respect of the failure of her department to provide an effective intervention to prevent the continual flooding of these homes and businesses.”

On Friday, business owners in Belfast city centre described scenes of panic as their premises were flooded following torrential rain.

Following heavy rain on Friday afternoon, incidents of flooding were recorded in a number of locations.

One of the worst affected areas was Berry Street at the rear of CastleCourt Shopping Centre, where business owners said ankle-deep flood water entered their premises.

Ann McAloon, from the Absolute Beauty Salon, said she had not witnessed scenes like it in 25 years in business in the area.

She said: “Within 15 minutes the salon was flooded, we had no way of keeping the water out.

“The traffic was still going up and down so it was making a tidal wave and it was coming in, we could hardly even get the door closed.

“Everything was floating up and down the street. The council have arrived with the sandbags but we could have been doing with them a few hours ago, just to save what we could in the premises.”