FLOODING: Northern Ireland battered by heavy rain overnight

By David Hunter

Parts of Northern Ireland have been hit by severe flooding overnight causing significant damage to homes, businesses and roads. 

Heavy downpours flooded several parts of the North West with many roads still impassable on Wednesday morning. 

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service reported more than 350 emergency rescue calls during the downpours. 

Emergency accomodation was established in a number of sites including the Foyle Arena in Derry Londonderry and at the Drumahoe YMCA Centre. 

Floods wiped away part of the road on the main Drumahoe to Derry route, whilst a bridge was also damaged in Claudy. 

IMAGE: Cumber Bridge in Claudy which collapsed in overnight floods

Flooding also hit parts of Limavady, Donegal and surrounding areas. 

The worst effected areas were in Derry City Centre, Whitehouse, Buncranna Road, Claudy, and Drumahoe. 

Police and the Fire Service expect emergency calls to continue this morning with many roads, tree's and buildings being left potentially unstable.

A number of people were rescued from cars caught in the sudden floods and police issued a warning to all road users to exercise caution in the hazardous conditions.

IMAGE: Waiting areas at City of Derry Airport where flights have been cancelled for the day

IMAGE: Inside City of Derry Airport's security area following overnight floods

IMAGE: Severe rain overnight caused trees to collapse and flood the River Faughan just outside Londonderry.

The SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood was critical of the lack of preparation for the flooding. The Foyle MLA tweeted last night saying " Families and businesses struggling to cope and big questions for statutory agencies. Where was the preparation?"

Claudy gettener tight tonight pic.twitter.com/W3Io30F3JY

— CathaoirDoherty (@Cathaoir96) August 22, 2017

I took this video tonight in Drumahoe, cars being washed away from park and ride car park. pic.twitter.com/8PyMnC6OVC

— Craig Lamrock (@lamrock52) August 23, 2017

Claudy gettener tight tonight pic.twitter.com/W3Io30F3JY

— CathaoirDoherty (@Cathaoir96) August 22, 2017

Shocking flooding tonight. Families and businesses struggling to cope and big questions for statutory agencies. Where was the preparation?

— Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) August 22, 2017

Localised flooding at the bottom of Skeoge in Derry this evening. Sent in to @qnewsdesk by a listener who says several cars are stranded pic.twitter.com/8BFTPICoWc

— David Hunter (@davidhunter7) August 22, 2017

A car in the River Faughan at Drumahoe @qnewsdesk @markyptweets @L_Sentinel @BBCNewsNI pic.twitter.com/jFCiPNazeW

— Ryan Walker (@Ryan_W2172) August 23, 2017

Ok there's people in kayaks out my front..... pic.twitter.com/xQ68X00WD7

— callum mckeever (@mckeever_callum) August 22, 2017

Me and the cat is watching thunder and lightning in Belfast City Centre pic.twitter.com/ZLCzDfxjU8

— Squire Gregory Weeks (@Squireweeks) August 22, 2017