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| Rescue services deal with 700 flood calls | Rescue services deal with 700 flood calls |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| The Fire and Rescue Service has dealt with more than 700 flood-related call-outs in greater Belfast following a series of heavy downpours on Wednesday. | |
| Many roads were impassable and about 1,000 homes were left without power for a time. | Many roads were impassable and about 1,000 homes were left without power for a time. |
| Police said most of the main arterial routes in east and south Belfast were now passable because of flood water, abandoned cars and debris. | |
| The fire service said it had put extra resources in place. | |
| However, the service has urged people to avoid ringing the 999 service "unless there is an imminent life risk". | |
| Northern Ireland Water said it received 2,800 calls on Wednesday evening. | Northern Ireland Water said it received 2,800 calls on Wednesday evening. |
| Abandoned cars | Abandoned cars |
| Heavy downpours were forecast, but nothing as widespread as this was expected. | Heavy downpours were forecast, but nothing as widespread as this was expected. |
| Some areas got 40mm of rainfall in the space of a few hours. | Some areas got 40mm of rainfall in the space of a few hours. |
| A Met Office yellow weather warning is in force, but at 04:00 BST this is being upgraded to an amber warning. | A Met Office yellow weather warning is in force, but at 04:00 BST this is being upgraded to an amber warning. |
| More thundery downpours are forecast in the morning, and this could result in more flooding. | More thundery downpours are forecast in the morning, and this could result in more flooding. |
| About 1,000 homes in south Belfast were left without electricity for a time. Power has since been restored. | About 1,000 homes in south Belfast were left without electricity for a time. Power has since been restored. |
| In Belfast, the Stewartstown Road is closed between Dairy Farm and Twinbrook road. | |
| Other roads passable with care are: Knock Road; Upper Knockbreda Road/Cregagh Road; Hillhall Road; Stewartstown Road/Twinbrook Road; Castlereagh Road/Loopland Park; Milltown Road/Belvoir Road. | |
| Also passable with care are: Stockmans Lane under M1 bridge; Blacks Road under M1 Bridge; Milltown Road / Belvoir Road; Prince William Road/Lisburn North Feeder Road. | |
| A police spokeswoman said motorists should not travel unless absolutely necessary. | A police spokeswoman said motorists should not travel unless absolutely necessary. |
| "Motorists who have abandoned cars are asked not to return to their vehicles, for their own safety, at present," she said. | "Motorists who have abandoned cars are asked not to return to their vehicles, for their own safety, at present," she said. |
| "Police are currently receiving a high level of calls which are being prioritised, and officers are working with all the relevant statutory agencies." | "Police are currently receiving a high level of calls which are being prioritised, and officers are working with all the relevant statutory agencies." |
| Belfast City Council has implemented its emergency response plan. | Belfast City Council has implemented its emergency response plan. |
| From 09:00 BST on Thursday, it will operate a free phone advice line on 0800 707 6965 for people living in Belfast whose homes have been flooded. | |
| The fire service said that between 19:00 and 22:00 BST it was receiving a call on average every 20 seconds. | The fire service said that between 19:00 and 22:00 BST it was receiving a call on average every 20 seconds. |
| 'Protracted operation' | 'Protracted operation' |
| Chief Fire Officer Chris Kerr said "My officers are currently deployed at a wide range of emergency incidents involving flooding, and they have rescued and removed a large number of people in difficult conditions." | Chief Fire Officer Chris Kerr said "My officers are currently deployed at a wide range of emergency incidents involving flooding, and they have rescued and removed a large number of people in difficult conditions." |
| He added: "Sadly, on arrival at many of these incidents we are finding considerable damage to residential and commercial property, and scenes of public distress. | He added: "Sadly, on arrival at many of these incidents we are finding considerable damage to residential and commercial property, and scenes of public distress. |
| "I can assure the public that NIFRS have the capacity and resources to sustain our response to what we envisage will be a protracted operation." | "I can assure the public that NIFRS have the capacity and resources to sustain our response to what we envisage will be a protracted operation." |
| Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson said: "This is soul destroying for the people who have been affected. | |
| "This is the kind of weather we can expect year on year and I think we need to have the kind of infrastructure that's going to deal with it. | |
| "That will require very significant funding. It will require the executive to look at its priorities but I think a very strong case can be made." | |
| The coastguard and RNLI were also enlisted to help out in the operation. | The coastguard and RNLI were also enlisted to help out in the operation. |
| BBC Northern Ireland reporter Mervyn Jess said some streets in east Belfast had been "turned into rivers" on Wednesday evening. | BBC Northern Ireland reporter Mervyn Jess said some streets in east Belfast had been "turned into rivers" on Wednesday evening. |
| "The water has been rolling down in torrents from the Castlereagh hills, coming down the Ballygowan Road to the junction with the Castlereagh Road and the Knock dual carriageway," he said. | "The water has been rolling down in torrents from the Castlereagh hills, coming down the Ballygowan Road to the junction with the Castlereagh Road and the Knock dual carriageway," he said. |
| "Some parts are basically like a lake." | "Some parts are basically like a lake." |
| Cushendall in County Antrim was another area affected by the flooding, with fire appliances pumping water from the village centre into the river. | Cushendall in County Antrim was another area affected by the flooding, with fire appliances pumping water from the village centre into the river. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? Please send in your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the floods? Please send in your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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