Counties Armagh and Down have been hit with heavy rainfall, and road closures have been implemented in the area. A yellow weather warning for heavy rain has been issued and will remain in effect until 09:00 GMT on Wednesday morning. The Met Office warns that transport disruptions and continued flooding are expected, with 15-20mm of rainfall anticipated.
Several businesses in Newry have reported extensive damage due to the canal bursting its banks. Flooding has also caused disruption in other parts of counties Down, Antrim and Armagh. Although the water levels have receded, poor weather is expected to continue with Storm Ciarán forecasted to move in later and continue on Thursday.
The weather conditions have prompted concern that the worst is yet to come, with “unprecedented” water levels potentially disrupting emergency crews dealing with the flooding. Paddy Lavery from the Department for Infrastructure is worried that more rainfall forecast for the rest of the week would be affecting already “very saturated ground,” stressing that “This is an area we haven’t dealt with. We have a finite resource. Where is the water to get away to?”
On Tuesday, roads in parts of counties Down and Armagh such as Killowen, Moira, Ballynahinch, and Bangor were impassable, and train services between Portadown and Dundalk were disrupted after the lines were flooded. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, a status yellow warning for wind has been issued for counties Kerry, Clare, and Galway. Strong and gusty westerly winds, as well as frequent bursts of heavy rain, are expected.
In Camlough, residents have been dealing with damage to homes and businesses after flooding in the area. Motorists abandoned their vehicles as surface water closed the main street, and in Newcastle, residents placed sandbags at their front doors trying to keep floodwaters from entering their homes.
Some business owners in Newry’s Sugar Island estimated that repair work could take months and that they did not have flood insurance as they had previously been affected by floods. Solicitor Kevin Neary reported that the basement of his premises was under several feet of water, saying: “You’re effectively sunk, you’re having to bear the losses yourself which is where we’re all facing at the moment, 80-odd businesses.
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