Killeaton residents flee homes in boats

Eighty homes were under four feet of water in Killeaton, leaving elderly residents requiring medical treatment.

Alderman Jonathan Craig, who visited the area late on Wednesday night, said the area was “one of the worst” he witnessed.

“The only way to get to the homes was by boat,” Mr Craig said. “People were trapped in their houses, they were stuck upstairs. Obviously in that situation the heating and the electric goes and the only way to get people out was by boat. Some elderly residents needed medical attention.”

Areas right across the city were badly affected as the torrential downpour continued for nearly two hours.

Ballymacash, Pond Park, the Belsize Road, Mullaghcarton Road, Ballinderry Road, Thaxton Village, Lambeg and areas off the North Feeder Road were all hit.

Mr Craig said: “I couldn’t get into Dunmurry village at all, every access route in was flooded. I believe there was major damage in the actual village of Dunmurry itself. I am heading down there later if I can get in.

“I think the drains just exploded, I saw one house still under five feet of water and that was after the fire service had been using the pumps on it.”

Following the announcement of a £1,000 compensation scheme for those who have suffered from the flooding, Mr Craig said that from the damage he witnessed that would only “scratch the surface”, but would go some way to alleviating the suffering.

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