Ministers to get flooding update

Nigel Frew sent in this image of the flooding in Newcastle

Northern Ireland's ministers are to be updated about the response to the weekend flooding as clearing up after the deluge continues.

The emergency services are continuing to work to clear the Broadway underpass in Belfast, which at one point was submerged under 20ft of flood water.

Traffic managed to flow without major delay along the Westlink.

However, flooding on the railway line at Portadown has caused disruption to the Enterprise service.

An investigation has been ordered by Roads Minister Conor Murphy into how the underpass flooded.

The minister visited it over the weekend.

It is thought a pumping station beside the road was overwhelmed when a nearby river overflowed.

It is thought that the road will reopen on Tuesday.

Hundreds of homeowners are beginning the process of applying for special compensation to help repair some of the damage.

FLOODING IN PICTURES Click for readers' shots of floods Send your shots to nipics@bbc.co.uk. See bbc.co.uk/terms for conditions

In County Tyrone, nine local farmers saved some homes from flooding by using their slurry pumping equipment to control water levels in the village of Beragh.

Some homes were damaged, but local SDLP councillor Seamus Shields said the men prevented an even greater disaster.

"They succeeded in pumping the rising flood waters to the western outskirts of the village main street where there is a sufficient downward slope to allow the water to escape," he said.

Nearly a month's rain fell in just a few hours on Saturday afternoon causing rivers to burst their banks in counties Antrim, Down and Londonderry.

Brian Kennedy's home was flooded when the Sixmilewater overflowed.

"The fridge will have to be replaced, the washing machine, tumble drier - all gone," he said.

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson announced a compensation package for anyone whose home was affected, which will be accessible through local councils.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version