Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS)  responded to a high volume of emergency calls right across Northern Ireland due to the heavy rains in the afternoon and early evening of Saturday 16 August 2007.  NIFRS received over 1100 emergency calls from 1pm – 10.00pm.

 

NIFRS responded to a number of flooding incidents across the Province, particularly in the Greater Belfast area, Co-Down and parts of Antrim and Armagh and rescued a number of people including providing assistance to the Ambulance Service in the Maghera area.

 

In addition, specialist rescue teams were deployed with highly specialised pumping equipment and vehicles which are being used to clear high volumes of flood water.

 

The follwing advice was issued to the public by NIFRS:

 

"Residents and business owners that have water coming into their premises to turn off the electricity supply at the mains.  If people feel unsafe they should consider leaving their premises, if it is not possible to evacuate safely move to the highest point and call NIFRS 999 for assistance.   

 

We would advise members of the public not to call 999 for non emergency incidents or to request sandbags