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Widespread havoc caused by floods Widespread havoc caused by floods
(20 minutes later)
Torrential rain has been causing widespread flooding across Northern Ireland.Torrential rain has been causing widespread flooding across Northern Ireland.
In Belfast, the new Broadway Underpass was reported to be under 15 feet of flood water. In Belfast, the newly-constructed Broadway Underpass in west Belfast is currently under 15 feet of flood water.
The fire and rescue service said they were inundated with calls and have had to help people from their homes in Belfast, County Down and County Armagh.The fire and rescue service said they were inundated with calls and have had to help people from their homes in Belfast, County Down and County Armagh.
NI Water, which has had 2,700 calls so far, said resources "had been overwhelmed".NI Water, which has had 2,700 calls so far, said resources "had been overwhelmed".
Some places in central and eastern Northern Ireland have seen up to three-quarters of the August rainfall in a single day.
Portglenone in County Antrim had 62mm of rain in 12 hours.
A section of the central barrier of the Westlink in west Belfast was cut with angle-grinders to allow traffic to be turned away from deep flood water.
Part of the MI motorway has been closed.
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Motorists battle the floods in Castlereagh, east Belfast
Police warned drivers in south Belfast manhole covers had been lifted out of place and carried along by flood water.Police warned drivers in south Belfast manhole covers had been lifted out of place and carried along by flood water.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said there had been ground-floor flooding in Belfast, Down and Armagh.
Crews have been pumping water away from homes in Carrington Street in East Belfast and residents were taken to emergency accommodation in the nearby Avonillll Leisure Centre.
The Ballygawley Road and the Cookstown area of County Tyrone were flooded.The Ballygawley Road and the Cookstown area of County Tyrone were flooded.
Motorists were warned to take alternative routes after severe flooding on the Belfast's West Link.
Part of the Shore Road on the outskirts of north Belfast was closed after floods brought down a wall.Part of the Shore Road on the outskirts of north Belfast was closed after floods brought down a wall.
Sporting fixtures, including several Carnegie Irish Premier Division soccer matches, have also been hit.Sporting fixtures, including several Carnegie Irish Premier Division soccer matches, have also been hit.
Castlereagh in east Belfast was badly hitCastlereagh in east Belfast was badly hit
Organisers earlier had to cancel Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod.Organisers earlier had to cancel Saturday's Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod.
NI Water said their personnel had received over 1,000 calls which they were dealing with along with the Rivers Agency and Roads Service. NI Water said their personnel had received almost 3,000 calls which they were dealing with along with the Rivers Agency and Roads Service.
A spokesperson said persistent and heavy rain following three weeks of exceptional climatic conditions had caused the flooding.A spokesperson said persistent and heavy rain following three weeks of exceptional climatic conditions had caused the flooding.
"No system is equipped to deal with such intense rainfall which means that systems have become overwhelmed in some areas," the spokesperson said."No system is equipped to deal with such intense rainfall which means that systems have become overwhelmed in some areas," the spokesperson said.
"Staff and contractors from all 3 drainage agencies (Rivers Agency, Roads Service and NI Water) are working with the Fire and Rescue Service and are responding to all reported incidents as soon as possible. "Staff and contractors from all three drainage agencies (Rivers Agency, Roads Service and NI Water) are working with the Fire and Rescue Service and are responding to all reported incidents as soon as possible.
"However resources have been overwhelmed due to the scale of this event. All our sympathies are with any residents affected in what is clearly a distressing experience for everyone.""However resources have been overwhelmed due to the scale of this event. All our sympathies are with any residents affected in what is clearly a distressing experience for everyone."
The Northern Ireland Water helpline telephone number is 08457 440088.The Northern Ireland Water helpline telephone number is 08457 440088.
Have you been affected by the heavy rain and flooding? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Have you been affected by the heavy rain and flooding?
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