Flooding Alert As Storm Lashes NI

Ferry sailings are being affected by continuing bad weather as high winds and rain swept into NI overnight pushing rivers to near-flood level.

Motorists are being warned to take care on the roads as the Met Office issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain and gale force winds across Northern Ireland.

The worst of the bad weather is expected to hit Counties Antrim and Down today with gales of up to 60 or 70 mph and conditions on some roads described as dangerous with some areas already affected by flooding, (with a rain-swollen River Lagan pictured here) as well as by fallen trees and debris.

The Roads Service said this afternoon that it was dealing with flooding in the Banbridge, Rathfriland and Craigavon areas.

A number of localised flooding incidents occurred earlier in the Magherafelt and Cookstown areas.

Roads Service also said it was dealing with flooding on the Banbridge to Castlewellan Road and the Moyallen Road, Banbridge.

The Rathfriland Road, Dromara and the Rathfriland to Gilford Road were also affected.

It said that in the Craigavon area there was flooding at Donaghcloney Village, the Manse Road at Moss Bank Road junction and Crowhill Road.

It also said some flooding had occurred at Balllyregan Road, Dundonald, on the outskirts of east Belfast.

The Roads Service said fallen trees had now been removed from roads in the west of Northern Ireland and those roads opened.

There were also reports earlier of severe flooding in Rosstrevor on the Moygannon road at the Moygannon Bridge, on the Malone road around the House of Sport and Mary Peters track, Saintfield, Hilltown, Ballynahinch and Dromara.

Both Stena and P&O Ferries are experiencing disruption on sailings betweeen Larne and Cairnryan/Stranraer because of the adverse weather conditions.

Passengers are advised to check-in as normal, but are likely to face delays.

The company said the latest sailing information will be updated on its travel information and weather line on 0845 832 8888.

(BMcC/GK)