Fourth breach of flooding in Annsborough worries residents

Fourth breach of flooding in Annsborough worries residents

3 February 2016

RESDIENTS in Annsborough are hoping work to address a flooding problem outside their homes will be successful after they were almost breached for the fourth time in a month.

Northern Ireland Water contractors arrived at Annsborough Park last Wednesday morning to install new storm drains just a short time after the Fire and Rescue Service had left the area having spent almost three hours pumping flood water away from homes.

There have been four flooding incidents in the village since December 27. During the latest, rising flood water was just inches from several homes before it was pumped away as the district was hit by the tail end of Storm Jonas.

In addition to the provision of new storm drains, the Housing Executive is increase the height of boundary walls at its properties in a bid to offer better protection.

Annsborough Park resident, Martin Sloan, has welcomed the commitment to address the issue and said he and his neighbours are again thankful for them efforts of the Fire and Rescue Service.

He said he woke around 3am last Wednesday and it was raining very heavily.

“I saw water on the path outside and when I looked out again around 4.30am, the gardens were under several inches of water. Fire crews who arrived around 7am spent almost three-and-a-half hours pumping the flood water away and we must again praise these men for their efforts in saving residents’ homes,” he continued.

“The water came to within four inches of the front doors of the row of bungalows. It was coming up our path like a stream. I immediately contacted my neighbour and started putting sandbags out, but then it was getting worse so we had to call the Fire and Rescue Service whose crews have saved our homes again.”

Mr Sloan said fire crews has just left the homes when the NI Water contractors to begin work on the new storm drains.

“Progress has been made over the past few weeks and we are pleased new drains are being installed and the height of the garden walls at the front of our properties is to be increased to help protect our homes from rising floods,” he said.

“The proposed work is a step forward and while we are in the lap of the Gods as far as the weather is concerned, we hope these measures will work.

South Down MLA Sean Rogers said flooding at this part of the village is happening “too often.” He thanked the Fire and Rescue Service for once again protecting homes.

The MLA He said Transport NI has created an additional gully which will drain into a separate system which is in addition to an ongoing £130,000 investment at the village pumping station where a new holding tank for storm water is being provided. 

Mr Rogers added: “Annsborough remains a flooding hot spot and the measures which are being implemented in themselves will not fully resolve the problems, but I hope that it will be a noticeable improvement for residents who have been battling flood waters for too long.”

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard has also welcomed a commitment by the Housing Executive to protect homes from flooding.

He added: “It is important residents have confidence that their homes are protected from flooding during periods of inclement weather so the added measures being taken are welcome.I would call on all Ministers in the Executive to work together to formulate a strategy that minimises the risk to homes from flooding.”