RESIDENTS LEFT HOMELESS AFTER FLASH FLOOD

After what residents have described as the worst flooding they have seen in the area, some have been left seeking rented accommodation, with others living in hotels after over three feet of water flooded the area in minutes.

The water, which was contaminated with sewage, got into people’s homes and garages, destroying electrical equipment including washing machines and gardening tools, whilst some of the water got under floorboards, leaving homes uninhabitable.

Councillor Ronnie Crawford, who arranged skips for residents to dump the worst affected items of furniture, said: “I was with residents on Saturday and some will have to leave their homes for several months as contaminated water lies under their floorboards.

“The cause was the stream at the rear of their properties bursting its banks and pulling down retaining walls and fencing.

“From speaking to the residents, it appears there was a sudden rush of water which increased the levels very rapidly. After some time the levels reduced again quite quickly.

“It has been alleged that a sluice gate at Boomer’s Dam was opened to reduce water levels in the dam but the same didn’t happen at a sluice gate at a lower level causing a sudden flash flood. When the lower gate was opened it is alleged that the water levels lowered quite rapidly.

“I have been in touch with the Minister Danny Kennedy who has asked a team in the Department to investigate the incident.

“This area has not been subject to flooding previously and the cause of the problem must be identified and measures put in place to prevent a recurrence. It will be necessary to restore the bank of the stream to its original level.”

One local resident, Jacque Warwick said: “There has been quite severe damage with about ten houses having to be evacuated. The water contained a lot of sewage and they will have to be treated. One gentleman collapsed in the middle of it all and the Fire and Ambulance Services had to rescue him.

“The flooding appeared very quickly, stayed for a few hours and then disappeared, but there was around three feet of water within ten to fifteen minutes. Fences came down, people’s houses were flooded almost instantly. My garage was flooded, which I use as a utility room, so the washing machine and drier are ruined, clothes are destroyed, the heating is gone, it is going to take time for people to get everything cleared and fixed again.

“Councillors will be meeting with the Rivers Agency, DOE and Roads Services to see what can be done for the whole of Lisburn, although no residents will be involved which I think is ludicrous.

“We will be pursuing this, it has never happened on this scale before, we have to do something to stop it.”

Fellow resident Alex Hamilton added: “We were quite fortunate, we suffered a lot of damage, but it was minor compared to others. The flood water, which was contaminated by sewage and in some cases home heating oil, invaded many houses causing damage to the household contents with the result that they had to be dumped. A number of residents have had to leave their homes for up to four months until the contamination in their foundations is removed.

“Some residents are of the opinion that the flooding was caused not only by torrential rainfall but also by an overflow of water from Boomers Dam on the Derriaghy Road. None of the local authorities will accept responsibility for this stream and the people living here are concerned that, as time passes, the matter will be swept under the carpet until the next flooding occurs.”

Mr Hamilton continued: “The water came down the road like a river and some homes are just ruined. Councillor Crawford did a great job arranging skips for us, he has to be commended.”

Speaking about the damage he suffered at his home, Mr Hamilton said: “We use the garage as a store room and that is destroyed, our washing machine and anything electrical doesn’t work. We’ve been clearing up after it and will then have to use a steam hose to kill any germs and then use bleach. I’m 75 and my wife is also a pensioner, so it has been hard going,”

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