Flooding 'clear up' under way

Londonderry is counting the cost of flash floods

Homeowners and business people in Londonderry have begun the task of clearing up after flash floods in the city.

Tuesday's thunderstorms left buildings flooded, tore manhole covers off and left motorists trapped in their cars.

The clear up operation is expected to continue into the weekend and motorists have been warned of further disruption as resurfacing work will be necessary in 20 locations across the city.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of flooding in north Down, and the greater Belfast area.

The Met Office has warned motorists that there is more heavy rainfall to come on Thursday.

We have set up an emergency referral system with the Social Security Agency Jackie Gallagher CAB

In Belfast, incidents of localised flooding were reported in parts of Ballysillan, north Belfast, Comber, Dunmurry and Poleglass.

In North Down, the areas affected were North Street, the Comber Road and the Glen Estate - all in Newtownards.

According to the Department of Regional Development, the flooding was small scale but staff from the Water Service and Roads Service were on the duty during the night dealing with any problems.

It said there was lesser flooding in the Armagh and Banbridge areas on Wednesday evening.

About 200 sandbags were used in its eastern division - where there were 26 flooding complaints logged, with 90 properties affected in Belfast.

The M2 at Bellvue bridge was affected, but the motorway remained open.

The Water Service and Roads Service are now on standby in case of any further flooding caused by expected heavy rainfall being predicted by the Met Office.

Insurance assessors

On Wednesday, the government said it would do all in its power to help businesses in Londonderry affected by the serious flooding.

Stormont Minister Ian Pearson was speaking after visiting business premises damaged during what has been described as the worst floods in living memory in the city.

Insurance assessors are predicting that damage will run into millions of pounds.

Dozens of people have been contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

"Many of our clients are obviously in great crisis at the minute," said CAB's Jackie Gallagher.

"What we are saying to them is to get in contact with ourselves.

"We have set up an emergency referral system with the Social Security Agency."

The Roads Service is currently assessing the extent of the structural damage.

Meanwhile, an investigation of the emergency response is under way, but there have been calls for better drainage in the city.