The torrential rain in Fermanagh has pushed the water level in Lough Erne to another record level — threatening further flooding misery for residents.

The equivalent of three months of rainfall has fallen in the last three weeks in the west of the province. There has been extensive flooding throughout the county over the last few days as flood water turned roads into rivers and farmlands into lakes.

The director of the Rivers Agency in the western region, David Porter, said: “It's never been at this height, this exceeds all records.”

It is believed that it would take at least four weeks of dry weather for water levels to return to normal.

John Wilkin (53) from Kesh has been left counting the cost after the flood water engulfed his mobile home and car leaving him homeless.

“I’ve lost everything. It’s all gone — washing machine, tumble dryer, fridge. I’m 5ft 6ins and the water is up to my chest and across the adjoining field the water is 20ft deep. You could put a speed boat on it,” he said.

“This flooding has been going on for the last three years but I never thought it would get this bad,” he said.

Mr Wilkin has been forced to rent a house from the Housing Executive.

“I have nothing. My son gave me a mattress, that’s all I have. The flood came up so quickly. I am angry because that is my home, it’s where I live. There have been flood warnings but I did not expect it to be this bad,” he said.

The rain was unrelenting yesterday and last night gale force winds battered the west of the province bringing yet more rain.

Floods continue to swamp roads around the Derrychara Link Road near Erneside Shopping Centre in Enniskillen, submerging riverside walkways and car parking spaces which were needed to absorb traffic fuelled by cross- border shoppers who also flooded into the town yesterday.

At the Share Centre holiday village near Lisnaskea resourceful staff used canoes to paddle to work in areas where roads were flooded. The lough has flooded into the swimming pool and the building is filled with water.

However, at other parts of the centre it’s business as usual.

According to Rory Martin, Share Centre marketing officer, some farmers were seen on jet skis and boats. The three schools visiting Share yesterday would not be put off by the road closures and made a slightly extended journey via Enniskillen and Derrylin to Share.

“In fact a watersports centre tends to thrive in situations like this.

“Share run an outdoor instructor trainee course each year and this year’s trainees made full use of the areas affected today by paddling into Lisnaskea on what is usually farmland and main roads.”

More than a quarter of pupils from Moat Controlled Primary school were accommodated at the community hall at Teemore when they were unable to get across country due to flooding and road closures.

Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott praised the attitude adopted by the school’s principal Felicity Humphreys: “As I understand it, a number of pupils from the Derrylin/Teemore area were unable to travel to the Moat Primary School on Monday due to the roads being flooded. However, in a wonderful act of positive leadership the principal has agreed to travel to a facility in their area to teach those pupils affected.

“I know that her willingness to do what she could to ensure pupils received some form of education despite the flooding has really impressed the parents of the children.”