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Warning of Northern Ireland floods Tide peaks after NI floods warning
(about 1 hour later)
Police have issued a warning of flooding in parts of Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland on Friday. High tides and strong winds have caused flooding in some coastal areas of Northern Ireland but the tide peaked without major flooding in Belfast.
They have warned people who live or work in the Clarendon Dock, Corporation Street and Sailortown areas of north Belfast to take precautions. The emergency services had warned of a possible tidal surge hitting the city and police built walls of sandbags in parts of central and east Belfast.
They have said the risk of flooding in east Belfast, Londonderry, Killough, Newcastle, Newry, Larne and Strangford has been slightly reduced. The tide peaked at about 12:10 GMT and the water levels have been falling.
The river Bann has burst its banks and flooded parts of Coleraine town centre. However, the river Bann flooded part of Coleraine, County Londonderry, and several coastal paths were impassable.
In County Antrim, Main Street, Carnlough, is closed due to flooding and diversions are in place. The high tides reached the County Antrim coast earlier on Friday morning and strong waves are still crashing to shore.
In Belfast, the M2 city centre bound offslip at Duncrue Street and Corporation Street has been closed due to the flood alert. East Antrim MLA Oliver McMullan has urged people to stay away from the Coast Road in Cushendall due to safety fears and he has called for the beach to be closed to the public during the storm.
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain, winds and high tides. 'Tidal surge'
Police are co-ordinating the operation in anticipation of a tidal surge at midday on Friday and over the weekend.
A spokesman said police were more confident planning and preparation work carried out on Thursday could help to prevent any serious flooding in the Sydenham area of east Belfast.
A councillor for the area, the PUP's Dr John Kyle said: "The priority last night was to act to try and prevent the river overflowing, so the banks of the Connswater river have been raised and the flood barrier from Victoria Park through the underpass has been raised as well.
"Several thousand sandbags were made available and several hundred residents availed of them last night."
East Antrim MLA Oliver McMullan said sandbags are being distributed to people living in the area's Coast Road, where he said the situation was extremely bad.
He said the sea wall in Cushendall had been breached in two places and he had seen waves as high as 40ft.He said the sea wall in Cushendall had been breached in two places and he had seen waves as high as 40ft.
"At the present time the winds and the water that are going on to the Coast Road are making things very dangerous, and it will only get worse," he said."At the present time the winds and the water that are going on to the Coast Road are making things very dangerous, and it will only get worse," he said.
The Northern Ireland Executive is meeting to discuss contingency plans. First Minister Peter Robinson was also involved in planning with police and other agencies late into Thursday night. In nearby Carnlough, Main Street is closed due to flooding and diversions are in place.
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said it was a "very fluid situation". In County Down, BBC reporter Gordon Adair said the storm had drawn crowds in the seaside resort of Newcastle.
"We are working as much as we can to try to prepare ourselves for potential flooding in those areas," he said. "A large number of people have gathered just off the promenade, the promenade has actually been closed by the council for fairly obvious safety reasons - the waves are crashing over it bringing debris with them," he said.
"During the course of today (Thursday), we have distributed many thousands of sandbags, with our colleagues in the other agencies, to protect the rivers around the Sydenham area. Earlier on Friday, the Met Office had issued a yellow warning for rain, winds and high tides.
"We are working with the health trust to try to identify vulnerable people who live in that area. Police co-ordinated a multi-agency operation in anticipation of a tidal surge.
Coastguard It had been feared that the Sydenham area of east Belfast would take the brunt of flooding in the city and residents were warned to pack a bag in case their homes had to be evacuated.
"We are also putting in preparations and plans, in the event - although we are not there yet - we recommend people evacuate their homes in that area." Police placed walls of sandbags in the area on Thursday evening and the flood defences appear to have held.
If homes are evacuated, Belfast City Council will provide emergency centres, he said. A councillor for the area, the PUP's Dr John Kyle, said: "The priority last night was to act to try and prevent the river overflowing, so the banks of the Connswater river have been raised and the flood barrier from Victoria Park through the underpass has been raised as well.
Coastguard teams in counties Antrim and Down are also on standby amid fears of flooding in those areas, which include the seaside resort of Newcastle. "Several thousand sandbags were made available and several hundred residents availed of them last night."
Assistant Chief Constable Martin added: "The combination of heavy rain, strong winds and high tides beginning tomorrow (Friday) and lasting throughout the weekend has created the potential for flooding in a number of coastal areas across Northern Ireland." BBC reporter Mervyn Jess said people living in Sydenham were very relieved that the high tide had passed without causing damage.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is co-ordinating a team that includes the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the Rivers Agency, Belfast HealthTrust, Road Service, Northern Ireland Water, Northern Ireland Electricity, BT and Translink. He said the direction of the wind and the lack of heavy rain had helped to prevent flooding in the area, but office blocks in the docks area of the city were evacuated as a precaution.
The Northern Ireland Executive met to discuss contingency plans. First Minister Peter Robinson was also involved in planning with police and other agencies late into Thursday night.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been co-ordinating a team that includes the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the Rivers Agency, Belfast HealthTrust, Road Service, Northern Ireland Water, Northern Ireland Electricity, BT and Translink.
Fallen treesFallen trees
Police have urged people to stay way from coastal paths and walkways and to drive with extreme care. Officers have urged people to stay way from coastal paths and walkways and to drive with extreme care.
All P&O ferries between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled until further notice. Passengers are advised to check updates on their website.All P&O ferries between Larne and Cairnryan have been cancelled until further notice. Passengers are advised to check updates on their website.
Stena Line has also cancelled sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan and Belfast and Liverpool and all Rathlin island ferry services have been cancelled for the day.Stena Line has also cancelled sailings between Belfast and Cairnryan and Belfast and Liverpool and all Rathlin island ferry services have been cancelled for the day.
The Bangor to Belfast railway line was blocked by a fallen tree at Seahill overnight, but the line has since reopened.The Bangor to Belfast railway line was blocked by a fallen tree at Seahill overnight, but the line has since reopened.
In Dunmurry on the outskirts of Belfast, Kingsway (the Belfast to Lisburn Road) was closed for a short time overnight due to a fallen tree. It has also reopened.In Dunmurry on the outskirts of Belfast, Kingsway (the Belfast to Lisburn Road) was closed for a short time overnight due to a fallen tree. It has also reopened.
In Londonderry, the Foyle Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles because of strong winds. A 30mph speed limit has been introduced for all other vehicles.In Londonderry, the Foyle Bridge has been closed to high-sided vehicles because of strong winds. A 30mph speed limit has been introduced for all other vehicles.
The underground car park at Belfast's Victoria Square shopping centre has been closed as a precaution. The underground car park at Belfast's Victoria Square shopping centre was closed as a precaution but has since reopened.
Anyone who wishes to report flooding can call a flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845600 8000.Anyone who wishes to report flooding can call a flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845600 8000.
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