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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| NI coastal areas warned of possible flooding | NI coastal areas warned of possible flooding |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| People in coastal areas of Northern Ireland and parts of Belfast are being told to prepare for potential flooding ahead of stormy weather on Friday. | People in coastal areas of Northern Ireland and parts of Belfast are being told to prepare for potential flooding ahead of stormy weather on Friday. |
| The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain, winds and high tides. | The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain, winds and high tides. |
| Police are co-ordinating the operation in anticipation of a tidal surge at midday on Friday and over the weekend. | Police are co-ordinating the operation in anticipation of a tidal surge at midday on Friday and over the weekend. |
| It is feared heavy rain may cause flooding in Belfast and police have warned of possible evacuations. | It is feared heavy rain may cause flooding in Belfast and police have warned of possible evacuations. |
| In particular, the police said they were concerned about Victoria Park and the Sydenham area in east Belfast and the docks area and Corporation Street in the north of the city. | In particular, the police said they were concerned about Victoria Park and the Sydenham area in east Belfast and the docks area and Corporation Street in the north of the city. |
| In Coleraine, County Londonderry, the Bannfield Road in the town centre has already been closed due to flooding. | |
| The Northern Ireland Executive is meeting on Friday morning to discuss contingency plans. First Minister Peter Robinson was also involved in planning with police and other agencies late into Thursday night. | The Northern Ireland Executive is meeting on Friday morning to discuss contingency plans. First Minister Peter Robinson was also involved in planning with police and other agencies late into Thursday night. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said it was a "very fluid situation". | Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin said it was a "very fluid situation". |
| "We are working as much as we can to try to prepare ourselves for potential flooding in those areas," he said. | "We are working as much as we can to try to prepare ourselves for potential flooding in those areas," 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. | "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. |
| "We are working with the health trust to try to identify vulnerable people who live in that area. | "We are working with the health trust to try to identify vulnerable people who live in that area. |
| Coastguard | Coastguard |
| "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." | "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." |
| If homes are evacuated, Belfast City Council will provide emergency centres, he said. | If homes are evacuated, Belfast City Council will provide emergency centres, he said. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Other areas that could be affected to lesser extents include Larne in County Antrim as well as Newry, Newtownards and Clough in County Down. | Other areas that could be affected to lesser extents include Larne in County Antrim as well as Newry, Newtownards and Clough in County Down. |
| 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." | 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." |
| 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. | 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. |
| Fallen trees | Fallen trees |
| Police have urged people to stay way from coastal paths and walkways and to drive with extreme care. | Police have urged people to stay way from coastal paths and walkways and to drive with extreme care. |
| P&O Ferries have cancelled a number of sailings between Larne and Cairnryan on Friday. Passengers are advised to check updates on their website. | P&O Ferries have cancelled a number of sailings between Larne and Cairnryan on Friday. 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. | |
| 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. | |
| Anyone who wishes to report flooding can call Belfast City Council's flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845600 8000. | Anyone who wishes to report flooding can call Belfast City Council's flooding incident line on 0300 2000 100 or the police non-emergency line on 0845600 8000. |
| 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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