Newcastle: clear-up operation in full swing after flooding

A major clear-up operation was in full force today (Monday) in the Co Down seaside town of Newcastle after a weekend of heavy flooding.

Locals described the roads being turned into rivers after rainwater gushed down from the Mournes.

Residents on the Tullybrannigan Road which bore the main brunt of the flooding, although surrounding streets were also impacted, have been helping clean up the area with shovels and sandbags.

Debbie Biggerstaff who lives on the road, said it was a dangerous situation.

"The road was just crumbling and it so sangerous crossing the road and it almost took you out under your feet," she told Downtown Radio & Cool FM today.

"The water had been going into the gardens and the garages.

"So we managed to lift all the debris with shovels and spades and build a wall with sandbags and stones."

And Karen Enmel, who was visiting the area from Carlingford, branded the flooding "unbelievable."

"The water just wasn't going anywhere," she said. "My uncle lives in the area and he said it's the first time in 30 years that he has ever experienced this."

"I was scared myself - I really was."

Co Down councillor, Willie Clarke described "a river running down the roads" after heavy rain on the Mourne Mountains on Sunday.

The Sinn Fein councillor said he was aware of two flooded homes.

The Tullybrannigan road was still closed today and the PSNI urged caution in the area.

Much of Northern Ireland was under a yellow rain warning from midnight to 3pm on Sunday.

Mr Clarke said that when the water swept down from the mountains it brought with it debris which blocked drains, causing "more havoc", but said the low tide helped the rainwater disperse.

A spokesperson for the Department for Infrastructure said the flooding was caused by "surface water run-off from the Mourne Mountains" after heavy overnight rain, adding that there were no reports of rivers causing flooding.

They said more than 900 sandbags were used and their teams cleared the roads of debris, which included large stones.

They said their staff had been "on standby all weekend following the Met Office weather warning issued".