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| Underpass flood sparks delay fear | Underpass flood sparks delay fear |
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| Severe traffic delays are being predicted for Belfast due to the closure of part of the Westlink following weekend flooding. | Severe traffic delays are being predicted for Belfast due to the closure of part of the Westlink following weekend flooding. |
| The multi-million pound Broadway underpass was submerged under 20ft of water after torrential rain. | The multi-million pound Broadway underpass was submerged under 20ft of water after torrential rain. |
| It is expected to remain closed all day Monday. | It is expected to remain closed all day Monday. |
| An investigation has been ordered by the roads minister into how the underpass flooded. | An investigation has been ordered by the roads minister into how the underpass flooded. |
| Conor Murphy visited it over the weekend. | Conor Murphy visited it over the weekend. |
| It is thought a pumping station beside the road was overwhelmed when a nearby river overflowed. | It is thought a pumping station beside the road was overwhelmed when a nearby river overflowed. |
| "I have asked Roads Service to carry out a full investigation into the underpass' flooding," he said. | "I have asked Roads Service to carry out a full investigation into the underpass' flooding," he said. |
| FLOODING IN PICTURES Click for readers' shots of floods | FLOODING IN PICTURES Click for readers' shots of floods |
| "The contractors are still working here and we will want to be talking to them to ascertain how it became flooded and why it didn't clear itself quickly as well as to make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen in future." | "The contractors are still working here and we will want to be talking to them to ascertain how it became flooded and why it didn't clear itself quickly as well as to make sure that this sort of thing doesn't happen in future." |
| A section of the central barrier of the adjoining Westlink had to be cut with angle-grinders to allow motorists to flee flood waters. | A section of the central barrier of the adjoining Westlink had to be cut with angle-grinders to allow motorists to flee flood waters. |
| It is thought up to half a dozen cars may be submerged in the underpass, having been abandoned by their owners as the water rose. | |
| Mr Murphy said the relevant agencies met on Friday after receiving weather warnings. | Mr Murphy said the relevant agencies met on Friday after receiving weather warnings. |
| "As a result Northern Ireland Water was able to deploy resources and contractors throughout the event and around the clock," he said, | "As a result Northern Ireland Water was able to deploy resources and contractors throughout the event and around the clock," he said, |
| "Nevertheless, such was the extremity of the rainfall, that hundreds of homes were affected." | "Nevertheless, such was the extremity of the rainfall, that hundreds of homes were affected." |
| It is thought that the road will reopen on Tuesday. | It is thought that the road will reopen on Tuesday. |
| The clean-up operation will continue in hundreds of flooded homes. | |
| A house became an island near Lurgan during the floods | |
| Nearly a month's rain fell in just a few hours on Saturday afternoon causing rivers to burst their banks in counties Antrim, Down and Londonderry. | |
| Brian Kennedy's home was flooded when the Sixmilewater overflowed. | |
| "The fridge will have to be replaced, the washing machine, tumble drier - all gone," he said. | |
| Environment Minister Sammy Wilson announced a compensation package for anyone whose home was affected. | |
| "First thing in the morning that compensation package will be available to councils," he said. | |
| "Councils will know what they have to do, individuals will know how they can apply through councils and get the environmental health officer out to verify their property was affected." |