Reports of Northern Ireland flooding ahead of Storm Ciarán with weather warnings issued
This article is more than 2 months oldMore than 70 flood warnings issued across the UK with the Met Office warning of rainfall of up to 100mm in some areas
Flooding has been reported in parts of Northern Ireland ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciarán on Wednesday, as police urged people against travelling and officials issued weather warnings for areas across the UK.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for rain, the second highest level, for much of the south-eastern part of Northern Ireland. The warning covers Counties Antrim, Down and Armagh.
It came into effect at 9pm on Monday and extends until 9am on Tuesday. The national weather service has forecast persistent heavy rain, leading to flooding and transport disruption and a yellow warning covers the rest of Northern Ireland.
Flooding in Newry, County Down was reported on Monday after the city’s canal burst its banks while elsewhere, roads have been closed due to flooding.
In Dromantine, approximately 100 sheep had to be rescued earlier on Monday after becoming stranded in a flooded field.
The Met Office has warned of between 25mm and 50mm of rain in places, and up to 100mm is also possible over higher ground.
Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure said police were warning people not to travel during the period the amber warning is in effect, saying “These [Met Office] warnings follow an extremely wet weekend where flooding has already occurred on many roads.
“The persistent wet conditions on saturated ground and with higher river levels … will inevitably lead to more localised flooding. Traffic disruption is possible and the public are being asked to consider their journeys and take extra care if travel is necessary.
In a statement, Northern Ireland’s police service said “Persistent heavy rain will lead to further flooding and we would ask the public to take steps to minimise risk. Please stay at home where possible and do not make unnecessary journeys. Reduce your speed and drive with extra caution.”
The Environment Agency has issued more than 70 flood warnings across the UK while yellow weather warnings for rain have been issued by the Met Office from Monday until Thursday.
Along the south coast of England, the Met Office said gusts of 80mph (129 kmh) were possible, with 20 to 25mm of rain expected across southern and western areas, but potentially up to 40 to 60mm over higher ground, warning already flood-affected areas after Storm Babet could get worse.
Flooding was seen across Sussex over the weekend, including the Priory Meadow Shopping Centre in Hastings, which was evacuated on Saturday with posts on social media showing deep flood water coming through the entrance.
On Sunday, a caravan park in Bognor Regis was also underwater, the town’s Tesco supermarket car park was flooded and a house had its roof ripped off in heavy winds that residents described as like a “tornado”.
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said “We’ve had various warnings in force across the UK over the last few days and there are plenty more being issued for the next couple of days.
“The main focus in the next day or two is towards the east of Scotland and north-east England where there is a yellow rain warning until 3am.
“There will be persistent rain up there and then the focus for heavy showers will be across parts of southern and south eastern England and south Wales as well as parts of Northern Ireland with some heavy and sudden showers.”
Tuesday was expected to still be unsettled but quieter before heavy winds and longer spells of rain develop on Wednesday night into Thursday as Storm Ciarán arrives, he said.
“There are possible gusts of 80 to 90mph in some exposed southern areas. It’s probably quite a nasty storm this one.”
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