A major operation is underway after Newry Canal burst its bank last night (Monday).
Flood waters have enveloped the city centre with many businesses facing the brunt of the damage this morning.
Sandbags were being deployed late into the evening after the Canal could no longer contain the rising waters and matters only got worse as the tide came in as the evening wore on.
Camlough’s Newtown Road remains closed due to flooding, as has the Armagh Road, Tandragee; Ballcrummy Road, Armagh; Mullinure Lane, Armagh; and Bolton Road outside Markethill Road.
The Portadown Road in Armagh is currently closed between the junctions of Battlehill Road, Dobbin Road and Killmore Road. Also, the Knockmenagh Road in Craigavon is impassable.
The A26 Glenavy Road has been closed since Monday morning and remains closed due to flooding under the railway bridge near the Moira roundabout. The A25 Rathfriland/Finnard Rd is closed between Shinn Straight and the Arddarragh crossroads.
While, not officially stated, roads in around Mullaghbawn / Dromintee and many parts of rural south Armagh are badly affected. The Tirmacrannon Road in Loughgall is also impassable – as can be seen in the photo below.
Tirmacrannon Road Loughgall
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI), last night, said its Flooding Incident Line had received over 300 calls.
A spokesperson said: “As a result DfI Roads and Rivers staff have been deployed to various locations to provide assistance and thousands of sandbags have been deployed across Northern Ireland.
“DfI have also engaged with the PSNI and multi agency partners and held a series of internal resource planning activities in recent days to plan and to deploy resources effectively for the various weather warnings that had been issued.”
Meanwhile, police have urged people to “stay at home where possible and do not make unnecessary journeys. If you must travel, please bear the prevailing conditions in mind”.
Adding: “Consider the potential risks before you leave. Do not place yourself or others in unnecessary danger.”
Co Armagh will remain under a yellow warning for rain until until midday, with another yellow warning coming into effect from 9pm tonight until 9am on Wednesday.
