There were dramatic scenes as a number of pensioners had to be rescued from their homes in Newcastle after the River Shimna burst its banks at the peak of Storm Francis.
Emergency services launched dinghies to reach residents when Bryansford Avenue became submerged under three foot of water as the river sent floods cascading through the area.
The Fire and Rescue Service also had to help evacuate several residents who became trapped in their homes in Maghera, Co Derry as a result of the storm.
Newry, Mourne and Down district council was forced to launch its emergency plan yesterday as the storm wreaked havoc across south east Ulster in particular.
At the height of the storm, emergency services reported major floods in Newcastle, Newry, Cookstown and Maghera while fallen trees and power lines as well as a landslide caused road closures across Belfast, Dundonald and Donaghmore and at Slieveanorra near Ballymena among other areas.
As the storm peaked overnight on Monday and yesterday morning, the Met Office revealed some parts of Northern Ireland experienced up to 40mm of rain with winds gusting up to 70mph. The RNLI was also called out after a 36 ft yacht got into difficulty on Strangford Lough early yesterday.
In the most serious incident, emergency services had to evacuate pensioners from their homes in Newcastle when the River Shimna burst its banks. A NIFRS spokesman said crews were called to Bryansford Avenue and Shimna Road after a number of streets became submerged in flood water.
“Our specialist rescue team, flood response teams and local crews are in attendance. A number of people have been rescued from their homes,” he said.
The NIFRS spokesman said a flood response team and two fire crews were also sent to Maghera after several people became trapped in their homes.
“We want to reassure the public we are prepared and well-rehearsed in terms of our contingency planning in readiness for the strong possibility of flooding in parts of Northern Ireland,” the spokesman said.
SDLP assembly member for South Down, Colin McGrath said Newcastle looked like a “disaster zone” with around 300 homes damaged by flood water.
“There are cars that have had to be abandoned and there are people that have had to be rescued from their home,” Mr McGrath said.
The SDLP MLA praised the community response, pointing out that one restaurant (Doc’s) provided complimentary food for rescue teams.
“That’s community right there,” he said.
Sinn Féin MP, Chris Hazzard criticised flood preparations. While praising frontline workers, he said people in Newcastle were angry that authorities appeared unprepared for the floods.
"There is complete devastation for so many families here today after the Shimna River burst its banks resulting in what many locally believe to be the worst flooding in living memory here in Newcastle," he said.
Newcastle resident, Tracey Cunningham said the entire downstairs of her home had been destroyed by "knee-high" flood waters, which may even have ruined a laptop containing her and husband, Sean's wedding DVD from two years ago.
"The rugs, the sofas; obviously it's not just water, it's sewerage water so anything it touches is contaminated. Everything needs dumped," Mrs Cunningham said in an interview with the BBC.
