Parts of Northern Ireland has been hit by severe flooding overnight with residents in Derry and Strabane having to be rescued from their homes by emergency services.
In six hours last night, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service received 106 emergency 999 calls due to flooding. One person had to be rescued from a vehicle whilst five others trapped in flooded homes were also brought to safety.
The Met Office has now issued a second yellow weather warning for heavy rain in Northern Ireland on Sunday, July 24 which comes into force at 12noon until 9pm tonight.
Read more: Flooding reported in parts of NI amid weather warning
A Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Spokesperson said: “Between 7:04pm 23 July and 1:30am 24 July 2022, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received a total of 106 emergency 999 flood-related calls which resulted in our Firefighters responding to 49 operational incidents. NIFRS rescued 1 person from a vehicle in water and 5 persons trapped within flooded properties.
“NIFRS maintained normal emergency response throughout the evening, attending a range of operational incidents including special service calls and other emergencies.”
Parts of Derry city have been worst hit by floods with appeals being made for the donation of more sandbags with residents and businesses completely destroyed by the floods.
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said he has written to the Communities Minister for Emergency Financial Assistance for those affected.
He posted on Facebook: "Desperate and difficult night for many people across the area who were fighting flooding and doing their best to protect their and their neighbours' homes and property.
"Sadly,many have suffered significant destruction as well as major disruption. This is particularly galling for those who live in constant fear of flooding - proposed flood protection schemes for Eglinton and Drumahoe are progressing much too slowly; there was a shortage of sandbags and people could not access them.
"Fair play to the workers and volunteers doing their best to help in incredibly difficult circumstances but many flood victims feel that lessons of the past have not been learned and warnings not heeded. I will be raising your issues with various agencies throughout the coming days.
"Many people will need help and ,as ever, your kindness and support. I have written to the Communities Minister urging her to activate a scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance for those affected by last night's flooding.
"I would advise anyone who suffered flooding to photograph the damage done. This evidence will be required for applications for financial assistance if the Minister agrees to my request."
The Met Office has said "heavy showers or longer spells of rain with some thunderstorms likely to cause some travel disruption and flooding" is expected today across Northern Ireland."
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