Lincoln Court pensioners greeted by back yard waterfall

People across many parts of Londonderry were on Tuesday, July 7, surveying the damage after heavy rain caused serious flooding primarily on the cityside.

However, parts of the Waterside and its hinterland were also badly hit with Claudy and Ardmore amongst the worst affected.

In the city itself pensioners in Lincoln Court had an anxious evening as water poured into their back yards.

DUP Councillor Hilary McClintock said she was in Lincoln Courts until 11pm on Monday night dealing with flooding issues.

She said that there is a recurring problem affecting some of the homes on the front row of Lincoln Court.

Two houses were particularly affected.

One elderly resident had water running like a waterfall down the back steps into her back garden.

The manholes were completely blocked and Water was not getting away in any of the drains.

Councillor McClintock said: “There is a bigger issue affecting these homes as water comes from further up the estate and is diverted around a wall and into the two end houses on the front row.

“The emergency flood line did not respond on Monday night. I have arranged for sandbags to be put in place in the interim as more rain is expected.

“It has been confirmed today that these manholes should be empty but on Monday night there was about six feet of water in them.”

Following the heavy rainfall, the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has activated an emergency scheme for householders affected by related flooding.

Mark H Durkan said: “Following the recent incidents of flooding in the North West, individual householders who have suffered severe inconvenience can claim £1,000 payment from their local council, as an offer of practical assistance. The payment is meant to ensure that homes are made habitable as quickly as possible. It is not a compensation payment.

“If you feel that you may be entitled to the payment, contact your Council as soon as possible and they will arrange for an urgent inspection of your property. If the Council decides that your claim is eligible, you will receive your payment promptly.”

The Minister continued: “My Department will reimburse councils for the payments to individual householders and for the direct and indirect costs of providing practical assistance and advice.

“I and my Executive colleagues want to help those most severely affected to get back to normal as quickly as possible and to assist them in ensuring their homes are habitable.

“Working with and through councils, my aim is to ensure that practical and financial help is delivered to those most in need as early as possible. I would also urge people to keep an eye out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours and check that they are ok.”

Neither the Met Office nor Met Éireann have any weather warnings in place for the Londonderry area althouhg further rain is forecast throuhgout the week.