Calls for Emergency Payment to be Triggered After Heavy Flooding

By Rebecca Black (PA)

Stormont has been urged to activate an emergency payment scheme following flooding across the north-west.

Six people were rescued after areas of Londonderry and Strabane experienced heavy flooding.

Firefighters tackled almost 50 emergency calls relating to flooding on Saturday.

The Met Office has issued a fresh yellow weather warning for rain applying across Northern Ireland from noon to 9pm on Sunday.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said it received 106 emergency calls related to flooding between 7pm on Saturday to 1.30am on Sunday.

Firefighters responded to 49 incidents.

One person was rescued from a vehicle in water, and five people were helped after becoming trapped within flooded properties.

Donegal County Council reported that heavy rain in East Inishowen has resulted in damage to roads and bridges in the area.

It warned of significant debris on the main Muff to Moville road, and on Sunday morning asked the public to avoid journeys in the area.

PSNI also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads in Derry and Strabane, adding a number of routes are flooded and impassable.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said it had been a “desperate and difficult night” for people fighting flooding to protect their and their neighbours’ homes and property."

He said he has written to Stormont Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey to request she urgently activates the Emergency Payment Scheme for Flooding to get money to householders.

DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said the heavy rain has had a “devastating impact” on many properties across the area.

He said several businesses have been damaged by flooding in the Eglinton area.

On Saturday evening, the Western Health Trust said the Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry had to temporarily close some sections of the emergency department, while events at the Foyle Maritime Festival on Saturday evening were cancelled for the health and safety of visitors and staff.

Photo courtesy of Gary Middleton MLA showing sandbags in a vehicle after properties were damaged by flooding in the Eglinton area