Community still ‘in fear’ of flooding after heavy rain

THE Beragh community is “living in dread” after heavy rain caused flooding in the area, a local councillor said.

Storm Francis rolled into the county on Monday and Tuesday and caused widespread flooding in Beragh and the areas surrounding the village.

Homes escaped damage but due to previous floods in the area local people “remain terrified” that their premises may become flooded again.

UUP councillor Bert Wilson says a lot of work needs to be done to ensure residents are safe in times of bad weather.

Cllr Wilson said, “The flooding was not as bad this time and houses were not hit, but it still causes worry and anxiety for local people who have experienced flooding in their homes before.

“I was around the village on Tuesday and I had not seen the roads and fields as bad for a very long time.

“The amount of rain that came down in such a short period of time was unbelievable.

“These people never know when it is going to happen again and they are living in dread all the time.

“I have been representing Beragh and Sixmilecross for years, and the flooding has caused a lot of annoyance for people.”

Cllr Wilson said he has been lobbying for further flood defences in the area, and believes a lot more work needs to be done.

“There was a flood wall built around The Meadows and it seemed to hold up,” explained Cllr Wilson.

“But we need a lot more work done to the water courses and in some places, the department could put up a clay flood bank and it wouldn’t cost a lot of money.

“The drainage board and the river service need to sort this out,” he concluded.