'Who would tolerate this? None of our politicians': Residents left in misery as NI hit by 'shocking 24 hours' of flooding

Residents in one estate in Strabane, many of them elderly, suffered their third flooding in just two years, adding to a number of close calls when only sandbags stopped the water.

Friends and family helped those living the Ballycolman estate to pull up carpets, wood flooring and take out furniture ruined once again by the water escaping from storm drains and sewage system.

Margaret Henry, whose 83-year-old mother Theresa McKee lives in one of the houses, said every time there is very heavy raining residents fear that floodwater is coming to their doors. 

Margaret, whose mother has been housebound following a fall last year, said: “They’ve been appealing for years for flood alleviation work to be carried out, but little has been done.

“There is always that fear and worry — it is very stressful.

“It has been a shocking 24 hours for her.”

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey last night confirmed an emergency payment of £1,000 is being made available for householders badly affected by the flooding.

This includes those on the Ballycolman estate where residents are “fed up” appealing for work to be carried out to protect their homes.

Former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, prior to a visit last October, said £500,000 was earmarked for the work, but residents say nothing has been done apart from some engineering surveys.

“We are just fed up and so disappointed. Our houses have been destroyed,” said Emma Relf, who lives with her 17-year-old son in the lower part of the estate, which is the part worst hit from the flooding.

“I cannot believe that yet again we are in this situation. There have been all these promises.

“We do not care whose fault it is that nothing has been done, we just want their heads together and to sort it out.”

Hayley Devine, whose elderly father Paul lives in one of the affected houses, filmed the damage, including one property that still not been completely fixed from a previous flood.

“Who would tolerate this?” Hayley asked.

“I will tell you one thing — none of our politicians.”

While those affected in Ballycolman and elsewhere have flood insurance, many do not.

Even those with insurance are unsure if their company will pay on any claim due to the repeated flooding.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service fielded 106 emergency calls between just after 7pm on Saturday until 1.30am on Sunday. Firefighters responded to 49 incidents, including rescuing one person from a vehicle and five trapped in flooded properties.

No further flood call-outs were reported up to yesterday evening despite a yellow weather remaining in place and the rain continuing to drench parts, again particularly in the west.

Teams from the Department for Infrastructure responded to almost 300 calls and provided assistance to affected residents and businesses. It’s estimated that more than 8,000 sandbags were deployed.

In total, Castlederg recorded rainfall of 44.4mm in the 24 hours from 10pm on Friday — half the average total for the month.

Over 10mm more was recorded through yesterday evening at the same station.

SDLP councillor Steven Edwards said: “I’ve visited and spoken to a number of homeowners and businesses across the town who’ve been impacted by flooding.

“Apocalyptic levels of rain and surface water for many. My heart goes out to them all.”

While the west, mostly within the Derry and Strabane District Council area, got the most severe weather, far above average rainfall was also recorded on the north coast, with the Giants Causeway station registering 24.2mm, the Met Office told the Belfast Telegraph.

Rain eased across the region by mid afternoon as the wet weather front moved east, heading towards Scotland where heavy downpours were reported late yesterday.

The north coast also witnessed a strange weather event when what was described as a “tornado” struck Benone beach, ripping up tents and damaging caravans at the popular holiday destination north of Limavady. The Met Office said it may have been a tornado but more likely a funnel cloud or water spout.

The heavy rainfall forced part of the emergency department at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry to close. The hospital was forced to accept emergency attendances only due to the reduced space.

Events at the Foyle Maritime Festival on Saturday were cancelled for the safety of visitors and staff, organisers said.

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