Road was like a raging river

Road was like a raging river

22 October 2025

CALLS have been issued for a major investigation into the catastrophic flooding which devastated the Tullybrannigan area in Newcastle last weekend.

A main road was turned into a raging river on Sunday as tens of thousands of gallons of water poured off the Mourne Mountains leading to the worst flooding in this part of the resort in 40 years.

The force of the water after exceptional rainfall was so intense that it ripped tarmac surfacing from a main road, with over 900 sandbags deployed in the area to help terrified residents protect their homes.

Higher up, Mourne Mountain Rescue Team volunteers braved horrific conditions to go to the rescue of a stranded camper in the Annalong Valley area.

Questions are now being asked how prepared a number of agencies were for potential flooding in the resort after a severe yellow warning for rain was issued by the Met Office.

The devastating flooding was raised at the Assembly on Monday, with Department for Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins expected to issue her formal response tomorrow, focusing on what caused the flooding and what action will be taken to prevent similar incidents.

First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said the Newcastle flooding will be discussed by the Executive to see how best to support those affected and that for now, all energy and effort should focus on the immediate response to Sunday’s devastating events.

With politicians and residents in the Tullybrannigan area seeking answers, there are suggestions that a piped culvert in Donard Forest was blocked, forcing water to cascade off the mountain into the Tullybrannigan area.

A local resident said the blocked culvert is located inside the Forest Service boundary which takes run-off water towards Bonny’s caravan site.

The man said this forced water to cascade down a path at the rear of homes, with the force of the water leaving a three foot deep trench.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard is seeking an urgent meeting with the DfI minister to discuss the ongoing impact of flooding in Newcastle and wider South Down area.

“The shocking scenes of flooding in Newcastle last Sunday are a stark reminder of the damage our communities have faced in recent years,” he said.

“With increasingly frequent extreme weather events, we cannot continue to accept that this level of disruption and damage is inevitable.”

Mr Hazzard said there is a need for “investment, robust infrastructure planning and a long-term strategy” that respects the stunning Mournes landscape, whilst protecting homes and businesses.

He said he was committed to working with everyone to find sustainable, long-term solutions to protect communities.

Mournes councillors have also expressed concern at yet more flooding in the resort while residents have called for more robust flood prevention measures.

While £5m was invested in the Shimna River flood protection scheme several years ago, there are no measures in place to protect homes in the Tullybrannigan area.

The Newcastle Regional Community Resilience Group says while the authorities “are hearing what they are saying” they are not really being listened to in terms of that turning into concrete action.

Mr Sam Anderson said the group has suggested that in an area that is prone to flooding, all the maintenance schedules should be upped in frequency with the request “falling on deaf ears”.

He said the group is keen for more maintenance in high risk flooding areas until there are permanent solutions.

As the fall-out from Sunday’s flooding continues, Mournes councillor Willie Clarke has called for urgent action to address flooding risks in the resort, focusing the spotlight on how prepared public agencies are to mitigate the impacts of flooding.

Highlighting the hard work of frontline staff and the emergency services, he praised Tullybrannigan residents for their “remarkable community spirit” working collectively to protect their homes and those of their neighbours.

But Cllr Clarke said “serious concerns” remain about the level of preparedness and the condition of the drainage infrastructure. 

“Currently, gullies are only being cleaned once a year and many are not being cleaned at all. This has a detrimental impact, particularly in flood-prone areas,” he continued.

The Department for Infrastructure said over 900 hundred sandbags were placed in the Newcastle area, while its staff were involved in clearing local roads of debris, including large stones.

“Staff were on the ground to clear screens and continue to remove blockages as a result of the debris,” a spokesperson said.

“There are no reports of any local rivers causing flooding. The source of the flooding has been surface water run-off from the Mourne Mountains after heavy overnight rain.”