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Rescue services deal with 700 flood calls Rescue services deal with 700 flood calls
(39 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.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. At the height of the flooding, many roads were impassable and about 1,000 homes were left without power for a time. By 07:00 GMT on Thursday, most of the main roads in east and south Belfast which had been closed were now passable with care.
Police said most of the main arterial routes in east and south Belfast were now passable because of flood water, abandoned cars and debris. First Minister Peter Robinson said NI's infrastructure needed to improve.
The fire service said it had put extra resources in place.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".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 SDLP MLA Conal McDevitt said parts of south Belfast had been a "scene of devastation" on Wednesday night.
He said although it was an exceptionally bad night, he criticised Northern Ireland Water and Road Service had been "caught off guard"
"The response was totally inadequate the call handling facility collapsed," he said.
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. On Thursday morning, in Belfast, the Stewartstown Road was closed between Dairy Farm and Twinbrook road.
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.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.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. She added: "As water continues to subside motorists forced to abandon vehicles last night as a result of flooding can arrange to have them collected."
"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.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. The coastguard and RNLI were also enlisted to help out in the operation.
The first minister said: "This is soul destroying for the people who have been affected," he said.
"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."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.""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.
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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