THE PSNI, co-ordinating a multi-agency approach to the severe weather, has issued another weather warning.
“In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, the Met Office has a warning for rain during the remainder ofSunday and for strong winds or gales on Monday – around the Northern Ireland Coastline, where winds will combine with high tides to produce large over-topping waves and another tidal surge, with the east coast more particularly at risk.
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Weather alert: widespread flooding is occuring across the County Down area.[/caption]
Conditions are unpredictable and, as we have seen over the last few days, are very changeable.
“All agencies continue to remain on alert and prepare for flooding and major disruption to the road network later today and into late tomorrow afternoon.
Police Commander in charge of the multi-agency response, Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said: “We continue to respond to the changing weather conditions with our partnership agencies and plans are in place to deal with the impact these changing conditions may have on the community, “
“As a precaution we are planning for the risk of flooding in a number of areas including:
Sydenham, East Belfast, Corporation Street, Belfast, Sailortown Area, Belfast which includes Clarendon Dock, Belfast Harbour Marina, Dock Street and the area surrounding the Odyssey, and the Ards Peninsula.
“There is also a risk of flooding in a number of Northern and Eastern Coastal towns and to parts of South Down. From 3.30pm this afternoon a number of centres will be open to distribute sandbags to local communities in the following locations:
* Newtownards – North Road Council Depot
* Portaferry – Market House Square
* Ballywalter – Ballywalter Presbyterian Church car park
* Castlewellan – Bann Road Recycling Centre
* Downpatrick – Strangford Road Council Depot
“Please note that the distribution site at Inverary Avenue will close today at 4pm, however if required an alternative site will be opened tomorrow morning and details will be released through the media.”
“While there is a reduced risk of flooding at Belfast City Centre, as a precaution we have advised a number of underground car parks including Victoria Square to close tomorrow. We would encourage the public not to use any underground car parks in the area. Please exercise caution and listen to the media for updates.
“We would urge the public to remain on alert and to be mindful of their own safety in particular to avoid coastal paths, be wary of possibly unstable harbour defences and to drive with extreme caution as many roads continue to be affected by surface water.”
The public can also call the Flooding Incident Line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845 600 8000 if they would like advice or support around potential flooding”
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