Wendy Jenkinson, who lives in Benvisteen Park, off the Moira Road, said the area had been under three feet of water throughout, which you would "need a boat to get out" from.

Wendy explained that the area apeared to be fine following Saturday's deluge, however overnight the nearby River Lagan burst its banks and many residents saw their homes destroyed.

"Two people have already had to abandon ship," said Wendy, "and the DOE took an elderly couple out. There are homes already ruined, if the rain doesn't stop I don't know what will happen.

"The DOE delivered sandbags on Sunday and said they would come back, but they didn't. They said the water is coming from the river and that it would be a waste of time to get the lorries in to suck the water up as it will just keep coming."

Wendy continued: "The water is filthy, there are planks of wood floating about in it. I have been here 18 years and this is the first time I've ever seen anything like this, but with the amount of rain that fell I'm sure a lot of places are just the same."

Wendy said she intends to sit it out and wait until the water recedes, despite losing some power in her home.

"Some of our electricity is off, there are some lights and sockets not working, but you just have to make do," she said.

"I asked my neighbours if they needed any help, but it was already too late. They live in a bungalow and there was about six inches of water in their living room, their home is just ruined."

stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk