Stormont Aid For North's Flood Victims

A Stormont Executive Minister has promised to aid flood-hit homeowners across the North.

The NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood pledged to try and help householders if their properties are flooded during the current bad weather.

The Minister is making emergency funds available to cover council costs.

Two years ago householders were able to apply for similar Emergency Financial assistance via their councils and the SDLP's Alex Attwood now anticipates that this may happen again as a result of the widespread heavy rain.

The Minister has also checked and been assured that council teams have been actively working with emergency agencies to help communities affected by the heavy rain.

Alex Attwood said: "I am concerned for the plight many householders could face as a result of this severe wet weather.

"I have been liaising with Council representative to ensure they are well prepared, around the clock, to cope.

"In the event of the weather situation continuing to escalate and households being hit by flooding, I will look at how practical assistance can be offered to ensure properties are made habitable as quickly as possible," he said.

"I will continue to monitor the situation with my officials on an hour to hour basis. This is about putting in place the resources at a council level to ensure help is delivered, as soon as possible, on the ground for those severely affected."

Councils can offer help and guidance to owners, where their homes are severely affected internally by floodwater.

Assistance would come in the form of practical help, including collection, retention and disposal of damaged household contents, assistance in making arrangements to clean up homes and gardens and by providing de-humidifiers.

After eastern NI bearing the brunt of the bad weather at the weekend and into Monday, last night it moved further west with 18 people, including two children, having to be rescued on boats in Co Tyrone, as flooding continued to affect many parts of Northern Ireland with a river bursting its banks in Beragh, leaving some residents trapped in their homes.

Also, a GAA hall in the village has been damaged and several roads and a bridge in the area have been closed.

In Strabane, the fire service rescued a disabled man from his home and at one stage an electricity substation in Newry was on the verge of flooding.

Several other rivers across the country also burst their banks overnight causing many road closures.

If the public need help they should contact the Flooding Emergency Incident Line 0300 2000 100.

(BMcC)