Torrential rain has caused flooding on the factory floor of the O’Neills sports factory.
Sustained heavy rain caused flooding in the centre of Strabane as well as in the town’s Ballycolman Estate.
Video footage showed water cascaded through the roof, although it is understood the flood – in the aftermath of Storm Ellen – did not have a long-term impact on production at the company.
One of the biggest employers in Strabane, O’Neil’s is also one of Ireland’s key sportswear producers, manufacturing gear for GAA clubs throughout the county.
Customers at O’Neill’s posted footage of the moment the rain water started to flood the factory floor.
Part of the roof of the O'Neills International Sports Company Limited factory in Strabane, Co Tyrone has collapsed after torrential rain this afternoon.
— Barry Whyte (@BarryWhyte85) August 20, 2020
Also reports of flash flooding in the Bridge St and Ballycolman areas of the town #Strabane pic.twitter.com/ZrTVuYuSPK
One customer said: “We were in the sports store buying uniforms when the roof started to fall in and it was just panic stations but I have to commend the staff in the store. They were brilliant and got us all out very quickly and safely.”
West Tyrone SDLP assembly member, Daniel McCrossan said yesterday’s floods were just the latest blow to the economy in Strabane.
“The hails stones were like ice cubes bouncing off the ground. In a very short time, the water was seeping into shops and businesses in the town centre. First, we had the whole uncertainty with Brexit and then the pandemic and now floods,” Mr McCrossan said.
The SDLP assembly member said five houses in the Ballycolman estate in Strabane were also flooded.
