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Storm Bert brought periods of wind and severe flooding across Northern Ireland on Saturday.
The Met Office issued two separate weather warnings for the region with a wind warning as gusts of up to 70 mph were expected around coastal areas of Northern Ireland today, November 23.
The Emergency Flooding Payment Scheme was activated in Northern Ireland after the Department of Infrastructure’s Roads and Rivers Teams responded to over 500 incidents since the yellow weather warning for Storm Bert came in last night. They said there had been some internal flooding to properties in Dundonald, Kilcoo, Coalisland and Ballinamallard as well a Royal Mail property in Mallusk.
READ MORE: DfI issues statement as flood payment scheme activated across NI
Between 8.00am and 1.30pm Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received 148 calls.
A spokesperson said: “85 of these related to flooding with crews assisting with the removal of flood water across the country utilising portable pumps.
“10 persons have been assisted from vehicles in flood water and one person was rescued from a river in Antrim by local crews utilising throw lines.
“Throughout this period of heightened operational activity we continued to respond other incidents including a reports of a gas leak, road traffic collisions and animal rescues.”
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Orlaith Clinton
NIFRS statement on Storm Bert
Between 8.00am and 1.30pm Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received 148 calls.
A spokesperson said: “85 of these related to flooding with crews assisting with the removal of flood water across the country utilising portable pumps.
“10 persons have been assisted from vehicles in flood water and one person was rescued from a river in Antrim by local crews utilising throw lines.
“Throughout this period of heightened operational activity we continued to respond other incidents including a reports of a gas leak, road traffic collisions and animal rescues.”
KEY EVENT
Statement from DfI
A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said: “The Department’s Roads and Rivers Teams have been responding to over five hundred incidents since the yellow weather warning for Storm Bert came in last night.
“There has been some internal flooding to properties in Dundonald, Kilcoo, Coalisland and Ballinamallard as well a Royal Mail property in Mallusk. Assistance is being provided to remove the flood waters. Some roads across counties Tyrone, Down and Antrim have been blocked by trees and flood waters and crews are on the ground to deal with those incidents.
“The Emergency Flooding Payment Scheme has been activated by the Department for Communities.
“The weather warning has now passed and although most rivers have now peaked, staff continue to liaise with Multi Agency partners and to monitor water levels and remove debris from watercourses to help floodwaters to get away. Flooding was prevented in many areas due to the proactive screen maintenance work being undertaken by staff who continue to monitor watercourses.
“Please report any incidents of flooding to the Flooding Incident Line 0300 2000 100. Keep up to date with the conditions on the roads via http://www.trafficwatchni.com.”
James Martin McCarthy
Pictures show emergency services working to clear floods in Dundonald
James Martin McCarthy
Train line reopens
Posting on X, Translink said: “The Belfast to Dublin line has now reopened, please expect delays and disruption as services return to normal operation.”
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Further weather warning issued
The Met Office have issued a further weather warning for Northern Ireland.
Read more here.
James Martin McCarthy
James Martin McCarthy
Bus services suspended
Posting on X, Translink said: “G10c, G10d & G10e feeder services are now temporarily suspended due to flooding at Colin Connect.
“All Glider services are now terminating at Micheal Ferguson Roundabout due to flooding at Colin Connect and Stewartstown Rd.”
James Martin McCarthy
NIE responding to multiple power cuts
NIE are resonding to multiple powercuts across NI. To check if there is a power cut in your area of to report a power cut, click here.
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Useful emergency contact numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance services 999 (101 for non-emergencies)
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive 03448 920 901
- Northern Ireland Electricity 08457 643 643
- NI Gas Emergency Service 0800 002 001
- Northern Ireland Water Waterline 03457 440 088
- Flooding Incident Line 0300 2000 100
James Martin McCarthy
How to report flooding
If you are impacted by flooding, you can report it to the DFI Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100.
James Martin McCarthy
MLA warns of ‘severe flooding’ in parts of West Belfast
West Belfast MLA Danny Baker said: “Twinbrook, close to Aspen is completely blocked & Mckinstry/ 4 Laner/ Stewartstown Road now very dangerous.
“Colin Connect is badly flooded and road just about passable, Michael Ferguson Roundabout/ Dunmurry Lane and bottom of Suffolk also flooded.
“Everywhere is being reported but the impact is so severe this may take sometime and weather warnings are still in place.
“Please be careful.”
James Martin McCarthy
Roads closed due to flooding
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Road users are advised that the Hillhall Road, Lisburn, has been closed at its junctions with the Pinehill Road and Ballylesson Road, in both directions, due to high water levels causing flooding. Diversions are in place. Please seek an alternative route for your journey.
“Road users are also advised to approach the junction at Hospital Road near Hydebank, Castlereagh, with caution due to high water levels.”
James Martin McCarthy
Councillor warns of flooding in Co Tyrone
Taking to Facebook, Cllr Dan Kerr urged people to avoid the following roads due to reports of bad flooding:
- Between Brackaville and Newmills
- Derry Road at the Coalisland Recycling Centre
- Kings Row
- Bridge on outskirts of Coalisland going into Dungannon
- Chieftain Crossroads
James Martin McCarthy
Traffic and travel issues on the North Coast
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Motorists are advised of a number of roads which have been impacted by poor weather conditions in the Causeway Coast and Glens District this morning, Saturday 23rd November. A shed roof has been reported to have been blown onto the Ballyquinn Road, Dungiven, and is causing an obstruction. Please avoid area if you can. The Dunhill Road, Coleraine, should also be avoided this morning, as there is a heavy build-up of traffic in the area due to poor driving conditions caused by snow. Please exercise extreme caution and drive with due care and attention.”
James Martin McCarthy
PSNI statement
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Motorists are urged to take extra care on a number of roads in the Newtownards area due to the impact of poor weather conditions this morning, Saturday 23rd November. There is a fallen tree on the Belfast Road, and there is also a report of a fallen tree on the Springvale Road, between Ballyhalbert and Ballywalter, at its junction with the Inishargie Road. Both lanes are currently blocked as a result of this.”
James Martin McCarthy
What should I expect?
The Met Office have said that we should expect:
- Some roads and railways affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services there is also a chance of cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected
- Spray and flooding on roads will make journey times longer
- Some interruption to power supplies and other services
- A few homes and businesses flooded
- There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
- There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
- There is a small chance that some roads and bridges could close
James Martin McCarthy
Thanks for joining us
We will bring you live updates here as the storm develops
