Northern Ireland

12,000 sandbags deployed as areas of Northern Ireland hit by flooding

A car submerged in floodwater at Basin Walk Car Park in Newry, Co Down on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA)
A car submerged in floodwater at Basin Walk Car Park in Newry, Co Down on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA)
By Rebecca Black, PA

Some 12,000 sandbags have been deployed as areas in the east of Northern Ireland have been hit with flooding.

An estimated 80 businesses in Newry are counting the cost after the city’s canal burst its banks on Monday night, submerging sections under water.

The city’s courthouse has been temporarily closed with business moved to Craigavon.

Autumn weather October 31st 2023
Sandbags hold back floodwater at Bank Parade in Newry on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

The department of justice said the measure was to allow for remedial works to take place and to make sure the staff and public are kept safe.

“Court business will return to Newry Courthouse as soon as possible,” they added.

Roads and some train services have been disrupted in counties Down, Antrim and Armagh amid rising waters.

Paul McCartan, who co-owns McCartan Bros, a clothing shop on Sugar Island, arrived at the business late on Monday to find it under three feet of water.

Stock was floating around in the shop on Tuesday.

"It's an absolute mess," he said.

"I came up this morning hoping the waters would be lower, and if anything they were far higher. I needed to get in, I have stock in there, it's my livelihood and unfortunately the inside of the shop is an absolute mess."

On Wednesday morning, public transport authority Translink said the Bangor train line will remain closed until further notice.

The Department for Infrastructure said it remained on high alert through the night.

It received almost 800 calls to its flooding incident line, and has distributed more than 12,000 sandbags to the areas worst affected.

A spokesperson said river and lough levels continue to be monitored as levels rise and will continue be monitored over the coming days.

Autumn weather October 31st 2023
A man walks along a fence to avoid floodwater in Newry, Co Down on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

“People are urged to stay away from flood defences, flooded areas and watercourses,” they added.

Further rain is expected with the arrival of Storm Ciaran later.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain for the eastern half of Northern Ireland on Thursday.