Storm Ciarán: Major flooding hits Newry as canal bursts banks

Flooding has been reported in parts of Northern Ireland as police urged people against travelling due to an amber rain warning.

Newry Canal burst its banks, flooding Sugar Island, Kildare Street, Canal Quay and part of Bridge Street.

Police have advised people to avoid the city.

Newry resident Dessie Heatley described the scenes as a "repeat of what happened here around 35 years ago".

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"We were up and down here in boats," he said.

"It's pretty bad, I'm sure all the shopkeepers are raging, we'd no warning or nothing."

In the Republic , a bridge in Co Louth close to Riverstown partially collapsed amid rising waters on the Cooley Peninsula, and there was flooding in Co Wexford.

Last night, a PSNI statement said: "Due to flooding, road users are advised to avoid the following areas of Newry, Mourne and Down district: Newtown Road, Camlough; New Street and Canal Quay, Newry; Killowen Road, Rostrevor and Kilkeel Road, Newcastle. 

"Do not make any unnecessary journeys and if you have to travel, please seek an alternative route and exercise caution at all times."

As Storm Ciarán arrived yesterday, the Met Office warning for Northern Ireland was the second highest level and covered Counties Antrim, Down and Armagh. It was in place from 9pm yesterday and lasted until 9am this morning.

It forecast persistent heavy rain leading to flooding and transport disruption, while a yellow warning covers the rest of Northern Ireland.

Roads have been closed due to flooding, while in Dromantine, Co Down, approximately 100 sheep had to be rescued after becoming stranded in a flooded field.

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The Met Office has warned of between 25mm and 50mm of rain in places, and up to 100mm is also possible over higher ground.

Stormont's Department for Infrastructure said police were warning people not to travel while the amber warning is in effect.

It said: "These (Met Office) warnings follow an extremely wet weekend where flooding has already occurred on many roads.

"The persistent wet conditions on saturated ground and with higher river levels this will inevitably lead to more localised flooding. Traffic disruption is possible, and the public are being asked to consider their journeys and take extra care if travel is necessary.

"It may be necessary to close roads or put temporary restrictions in place."

The PSNI said: "Persistent heavy rain will lead to further flooding, and we would ask the public to take steps to minimise risk.

"Please stay at home where possible and do not make unnecessary journeys. If you must travel, please bear the prevailing conditions in mind.

"Reduce your speed and drive with extra caution. Excess surface water could lead to aquaplaning, and there is the potential for cars to get stuck in just a few inches of floodwater. Visibility is likely to be severely reduced.

"Consider the potential risks before you leave. Do not place yourself or others in unnecessary danger."

In the Republic, homes in a Co Wexford town were swamped as outbreaks of flooding continue to cause damage.

Some houses in the Haven estate at Rosslare Strand were in 3ft of water on Monday.

Several residents were taken from their properties in an inflatable dinghy.

Met Éireann had warned of the likely potential of flooding this week, with further rain falling on already saturated lands and high-flowing rivers.

A yellow rain warning covering Louth and Monaghan expired in the early hours of Tuesday.

A 24-hour yellow rain warning for Co Kerry in the south west of the island came into effect at 12pm on Tuesday.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan expressed concern for those caught up by the flooding.

“My heart goes out to those up in Cooley, Carlingford, down in Wexford I know there has been particular flooding, as well as Newry, as well as what happened to Middleton (Co Cork) obviously a few weeks ago,” he told RTÉ Radio One.

The north east of the island was expected to be hit hardest on Monday night, with a UK Met Office amber rain warning in place for Antrim, Down and Armagh in Northern Ireland until 9am on Tuesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Storm Ciarán is set to bring more heavy rain and strong winds, with Munster and Leinster set to be among areas worst affected.

Local Coast Guard volunteer Alan Duggan was involved in efforts to help people get to dry land in the Haven estate in Rosslare on Monday.

The estate is mostly made up of holiday homes.

"I walked in chest waders and the water was up to my waist outside of someone's front door," he said.

"There are about 35 to 40 houses in the Haven and around 15 of them are flooded."

Mr Duggan said he used to live in the estate and he had never witnessed flooding on that scale before.

Local councillor Jim Codd visited the scene on Monday.

He said flooding incidents were becoming more commonplace in recent years in south Wexford.

Across the UK, the Environment Agency has issued more than 25 flood warnings ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciaran on Wednesday, while the Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain from Monday until Thursday.

Gusts of 80mph are possible along the south coast of England, with 20 to 25mm of rain expected across southern and western areas, but potentially up to 40 to 60mm over higher ground, the Met Office said.

The forecaster advises the latest rain could lead to disruption to roads and public transport while already flood-affected areas after Storm Babet could get worse.