Around 3,000 sandbags were handed out as Storm Bert blasted Northern Ireland at the weekend, a minister has revealed.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd also said around 250 staff from his Department responded to over 600 calls for assistance across a wide geographical area over the weekend.
Storm Bert brought disruption across Northern Ireland as over half of the average monthly rainfall fell in some areas over the weekend.
Winds of up to 67mph were recorded in Ballypatrick, Co Antrim on Saturday.
Roads across counties Tyrone, Down and Antrim were blocked by trees and flood waters on Saturday, and properties were flooded in Dundonald, Kilcoo, Coalisland and Ballinamallard as well a Royal Mail property in Mallusk.
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Mr O’Dowd said: “Working alongside our multi-agency partners, they worked tirelessly in difficult conditions to respond and minimise disruption. This was a multi-weather event which brought wind, rain and melting snow causing fallen trees and flooding issues.
“My Department distributed approximately 3,000 sandbags and worked through the weekend to clear debris to help flood waters to get away.
“This work did not just start when the storm arrived — proactive culvert screen maintenance work was undertaken by staff prior to the event and existing flood alleviation schemes prevented flooding in many areas. This preventative work contributed to hundreds of homes being protected.
“Multi-agency partners met continuously over the weekend to coordinate the response to the incidents, clearing essential infrastructure and monitoring water levels to reduce the risk of flooding to homes.
“Much work, which is often unseen, was instrumental in protecting communities across the North. In the West, pumping was carried out at several locations, including Omagh, due to rising river levels with staff monitoring water levels through the night, until the threats had subsided.
“Community Resilience Groups were kept up to date with weather patterns so that they could make appropriate preparations. I want to particularly thank the members of these groups who give up their time freely, to work in the community to help prepare for and respond to weather emergencies.”
Homes near Moat Park in Dundonald, Co Down were hit by flooding. Some residents at Park Avenue were trapped in their homes by the floodwater, with around 18 properties damaged.
Several homes in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, were been damaged.
Flooding in Moat Park in Dundonald at the weekend
“I realise that despite this work, due to the enormity of rain and other hazards, not all homes could be protected, and my thoughts are with those affected,” Mr O’Dowd said.
“As with every flooding event, the Department will now review all areas impacted by this weekend’s flooding to see if there is anything we can do to strengthen resilience in those areas.”
Meanwhile, more flooding is “likely” in parts of the UK this week after Storm Bert brought torrential rain over the weekend, the Environment Secretary said.
Steve Reed said its impacts “should be less severe” than they were on Sunday and Monday morning.
The Met Office has warned more potentially heavy rain is set to arrive across southern areas of the country alongside colder temperatures on Wednesday.
A yellow rain warning covering southern England, including Kent, Sussex and the Isle of Wight, and a small area around Plymouth in Devon has been issued by the forecaster from 10pm on Tuesday to midday on Wednesday.
However, no weather warnings are currently in place for Northern Ireland.
Wednesday is expected to be a dry day with some sunny spells, with a maximum temperature 6C.
It will be dry for most of Thursday but rain will spread north-eastwards from late afternoon onwards. It will be mild and often cloudy on Friday and Saturday with occasional rain.