Businesses owners in the Co Down town of Downpatrick are getting into their flooded businesses for the first time after two days under water, while some rail services have been impacted today by further floods.
A number of rail services between Portadown and Dundalk, as well services between Dublin and Belfast have been cancelled due to flooded tracks. Irish Rail and Enterprise Train are offering bus substitutes for affected customers.
The commercial centre was badly affected when the nearby Quoile River overtopped its banks early on Thursday.
It is estimated that around 40 businesses have been affected.
The fire and rescue service is using high volume pumps to pump water more than 1km away and while water levels have dropped dramatically overnight as a result, it could be some time before the water clears.
The clean up is under way in the town where some businesses remain under water.
Devastation in Downpatrick as businesses owners get into their flooded businesses for first time since Thursday @rtenews pic.twitter.com/GcWn9JW0QZ
— conor macauley (@TVconormac) November 4, 2023
The absence of a Stormont executive mean there are no ministers to drive a response.
It is being left to the Northern Ireland Civil Service to potentially find money to find a support scheme.
Colman Magennis helps run the family jewellers in St Patrick's Square, and said customers, family and friends had all helped as he assessed the damage.
He described the coming Christmas period as the business' "harvest".
"We'll do our damndest to make sure we're still here", he said.
Meanwhile, flooding continues to impact cross border rail services.
A bus substitution service is in place between Belfast and Dundalk in both directions due to serious flooding of the line near Portadown.
Translink NI said some services later today and tomorrow would not be running.
These include this evening's 6.20pm Dublin Connolly to Belfast service and the 9.06pm Belfast to Dublin Connolly train.
The 1pm Dublin Connolly to Belfast train and 5.05pm Belfast to Dublin Connolly service tomorrow will also not operate.
