Council opens Advice Centre in Portadown to help all affected by devastating floods

Opening the Flood Advice Centre at Portadown Town Hall, Front L-R: Cllr Kevin Savage (Chair of Committee Economic Development), Cllr Paul Duffy, Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley, Cllr Claire McConville Walker and Cllr Lavelle McIwrath. Middle L-R: ABC Staff members Roisin Creaney, Kelly Mallon and Julieann Spence; Back L-R: ABC Staff members Colin Bell, Seamus McCrory and David Mayers.

ABC Council has opened a Flood Advice Centre in Portadown.

The move is to assist residents and businesses in Portadown and Banbridge during the recovery operation.

The Advice Centre has been established at Portadown Town Hall and opened tonight (Friday), and will be open again on Saturday and Monday provide one-to-one support to those affected by flooding.

Related: Terminally ill woman among vulnerable removed from flooded homes in Portadown

Staff will be available to offer immediate crisis support, financial assistance advice, and clean-up recover support information.

Speaking at the opening of the Flood Advice Centre, Lord Mayor Margaret Tinsley said:  “The Council is now moving from emergency response into the recovery phase, as water starts to subside over the next couple of days.

“Officers are working closely with residents and businesses to prioritise the scheduling of work for this large scale recovery operation.

“This Advice Centre will provide personalised support to residents and businesses by Council officers, enabling fast response times to action on the ground for people and families that have been through a significant ordeal.

“Council Environmental Health Officers are working closely with colleagues in Community Development, identifying the needs of vulnerable households who remain in their properties, and together with Environmental Services colleagues they are responding to homeowners and businesses that are ready for recovery services.

“I would like to acknowledge the work undertaken throughout this week by Council officers, who have worked diligently to support, advise and assist the local community at this time of crisis.”

The Flood Advice Centre will be open on Saturday from 10am until noon and on Monday, from 10am to noon and 5-7pm.

Out of hours Council support contacts are available via the monitored email addresses below:Business Support: economicdevelopment@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Community Support & Advice: abccommunitysupport@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Environmental Health: ehealth@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

The Flood Advice Centre is open for everyone to attend. Council officers will be on hand to address the needs of local communities, during this challenging time.

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