THIRTY SEVEN PEOPLE were rescued by fire crews yesterday in Northern Ireland, as flooding caused widespread damage in the wake of Storm Francis. 

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said that nearly 40 people had been rescued after becoming trapped by flood water in their cars and homes.

Newcastle in Down and Draperstown in Derry were among the worst places affected as fire services described the floods as “very challenging”. 

With roads and other transport infrastructure impacted, local councils and the Stormont Executive were promising action and support. 

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council announced a scheme of emergency funding for homes damaged by flooding. 

Between midnight and 8pm yesterday, crews responded to 28 separate incidents across the North working alongside the PSNI, coast guard and ambulance services. 

A yellow rain warning was in place for Northern Ireland until 6am this morning. 

Storm Francis caused significant damage across the island. Widespread flooding was reported in parts of Cork, with numerous businesses impacted in Bantry and Bandon. 

Between midnight & 5pm today we have attended 28 flooding incidents across the Newcastle, Maghera, Draperstown & Cookstown areas. Working in challenging conditions, Firefighters, with the support of other agencies, rescued 37 people from flood water. #NotjustFires #SaferTogether pic.twitter.com/i5mXaPDwKC

— Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (@NIFRSOFFICIAL) August 25, 2020

Cork County Council’s Crisis Management and Severe Weather Assessment teams held a teleconference yesterday evening to monitor the situation in Cork.

Fine Gael’s Senator Tim Lombard said yesterday that there was “anger” in Bandon and people wanted answers about why the town got flooded.

“The traders and the businesses of Bandon need to know what’s happening,” he said. 

Many businesses reported significant damage to shops and properties. 

The UK was also battered by the storm, with 130 kilometres per hour winds hitting parts of the country. This was just short of record wind speeds for the UK in August.

A yellow warning is in place until 9am for parts of England, Wales and Scotland, while last night saw 36 flood alerts and five flood warnings in place for England.

However, the worst of the storm has now abated. 

With reporting from Press Association