Agencies tackle flood problems

Homes on the outskirts of Belfast were flooded

Problems faced by those people hit by last week's serious flooding in County Antrim are to be raised at an event on Thursday.

Following the severe weather disruption last Friday, Carrickfergus council is facilitating a public meeting in the town hall.

Householders spent Saturday clearing up after heavy rainfall caused flooding in parts of counties Antrim and Down.

Rathcoole in Newtownabbey was the worst affected area with 70 homes flooded.

Nigel Dodds: Opened an emergency centre to deal with flooded homes

All relevant statutory agencies will also be at the Carrickfergus meeting and information day.

The council has asked anyone who suffered loss during the floods to attend.

The information day is down to last from 0900 BST until 2100 BST.

An emergency advice centre has been set up on the Rathcoole housing estate on the outskirts of north Belfast to deal with problems caused by the flooding.

Lightning strikes

Social Development Minister Nigel Dodds said that although the volume of Friday night's rainfall was unusual, the scale of the flooding raised questions for the water and roads services.

The Fire Service responded to more than 300 calls in Glengormley, Carrickfergus and Whitehead.

Jim Murray of the Housing Executive said their office in the area had been opened and extra staff drafted in to help deal with the problem.

De-humidifiers were also brought in to help dry out homes.

Firefighters also dealt with a number of lightning strikes.

Assistant area commander Gordon Latimer said the volume of calls stretched their resources.

There was also flooding in Warrenpoint, County Down, which was blamed for an accident on the Newry to Warrenpoint Road.