Heavy rain warning – advice and information

Heavy rain forecast for some areas, with travel delays and difficult driving conditions possible in some areas. You can find advice about preparing for any potential localised flooding. It might be useful to take note of the Flooding Incident Line number – 0300 2000 100.

Weather warning

The Met Office has sent out a weather warning for heavy rain.

Weather warnings let the public and emergency services know about potentially hazardous conditions.

You can find out more about weather warnings on the Met Office website.

Emergency numbers

You should note the following numbers in case of emergency:

  • Emergency services – 999 or 112
  • Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100
  • Northern Ireland Electricity Networks – 03457 643 643
  • NI Gas Emergency Service – 0800 002 001
  • Northern Ireland Water Waterline – 03457 440 088
  • Housing Executive – 03448 920 901
  • Report a fallen tree or blocked road – 0300 200 7891 

There is also information about emergencies at this link:

Flooding Incident Line – 0300 2000 100

The Flooding Incident Line is available 24 hours a day, every day. You can report flooding problems on roads or burst water mains and blocked drains.

When you ring the flooding incident line, a member of staff will:

  • take all your details
  • contact the appropriate agency on your behalf

This is a non emergency number, so if you are in danger, call the emergency services on 999.

You can get more information about flooding at the following link:

Roads information

If there are any problems on the roads as a result of flooding, you can get the latest updates on the TrafficwatchNI website.

Public transport

You can find the latest information about bus and rail services on the Translink website. 

Preparing for a flood

To help reduce the impact of flooding on your home, you should:

  • have some sandbags or floodboards or plastic covers prepared to block doorways and airbricks
  • know where to turn off your electricity and/ or gas
  • move your valuable possessions to safety
  • ensure your insurance provides cover against flood damage to property
  • keep a list of useful contact numbers such as your local council, emergency services and your insurance company

You can get more details on the preparing for a flood page.

Driving and walking in flooded areas

You should always plan your journey and check the latest weather and travel advice.

Do not travel in heavy rainstorms unless absolutely necessary.

In flooded areas, drivers should not:

  • enter flood water that is moving or is more than four inches deep
  • under any circumstances, drive through fast-flowing water as the car could be swept away

In more shallow but passable water:

  • slow down
  • avoid creating bow waves which can damage your car engine; and
  • remember to test the brakes after leaving the water

Do not attempt to walk through flooded areas. Even shallow water moving fast can sweep you off your feet and there may be hidden dangers such as:

  • open drains
  • damaged road surfaces
  • submerged debris; or
  • deep channels which can result in serious injury or, in the worst cases, death

If you do become stranded in flood water and you feel there is a risk to life, dial 999 for emergency assistance.

Insurance claims after a flood

If you are going to report flood damage to your insurance company there are certain things to remember. You should keep a record of the flood damage and any contact you have with the insurance company.

If you have different insurers for the structure of your home and your content, make sure you contact them both.

If you live in rented accommodation, the landlord will deal with the structure of your home. For content claims, contact your own insurer.

You can find out more at this page:

Risks related to flooding

Be aware of hidden dangers under the water, such as missing manhole covers, and guard against the possibility of falling into fast-flowing water.

The risk of becoming ill after contact with flood water is generally low. However, as it is not always clear whether flood water is contaminated, you should assume that it is and take appropriate precautions.

Preventing health problems

There are a number of things you can do to prevent health problems if your home floods:

  • wherever possible try to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater
  • do not let children play in floodwater
  • use rubber gloves when cleaning up
  • wash hands after being in contact with flood water, sewage or anything contaminated by these
  • wash children’s hands regularly
  • clean toys that have been in flood water with disinfectant
  • cover cuts or open sores
  • don’t eat any food that has been in contact with floodwater
  • clean all surfaces with disinfectant before any food is placed on them

Contact your GP if you, or someone you know, develops a stomach upset following flooding.

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Removal and clamping of vehicles parked illegally

Drivers who park illegally in urban clearways or bus lanes on main roads into and out of Belfast may have their vehicles removed and clamped. As well as being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), additional charges to have the vehicle released will have to be paid.

Vehicle pound

A two-week, ‘one strike’ warning period is in place until Monday 19 March. During this time drivers parking illegally in these urban clearways and bus lanes will be issued with a warning notice in relation to removal and clamping.

Vehicles parked illegally may either be:

  • removed to a legal parking location nearby to where they were originally illegally parked, and then clamped 
  • removed to the vehicle pound located at 1N McKinney Road, Mallusk, Newtownabbey

All vehicles removed will receive a £90 Penalty Charge Notice, discounted to £45 if paid within 14 days. 

An additional £40 will be payable for the release of any vehicle which has been relocated nearby, with a charge of £105 if it has been removed to the vehicle pound.

Unclaimed vehicles remaining at the vehicle pound will be charged an additional £12 per day storage rate.

You can find out more information at this link:

Drivers are urged to give consideration to other road users and park legally at all times. This helps traffic to flow more freely, including public transport, and reduces traffic congestion and the associated environmental pollution.

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Advice for parents of children making subject choices

Date published: 06 March 2019

During Year 10 your child will choose the GCSE subjects they want to study. Your support as a parent or guardian is vital in helping them make choices which are right for them to meet their full potential. There is live online presentation on Wednesday 13 March to find out how.

Picking subjects

Your child’s school will advise when they need to make their subject choices and their options.

As well as help from careers teachers in schools, careers advisers offer careers information, advice and guidance to pupils through class talks, group work and interviews.

Live online presentation session

There is a live online presentation (webinar) for parents or guardians to:

  • explain the importance of subject choices
  • highlight the information and resources available to help both you and your child

The webinar will be broadcast on Wednesday 13 March at 11.00 am.

Taking part

To take part, 10 minutes before the presentation is due to start go to Year 10 choices and follow the instructions.

You can find more information about choosing subjects at:

There is also a guide for parents to help you understand the range of options and support available at key transition stages. This includes information on what careers are likely to be in demand in the future.

For further help and advice, contact the Careers Service.

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Range of opportunities at Coleraine job fair

A job fair is taking place at Coleraine Leisure Centre on Thursday 8 March. It brings employers, support organisations and jobseekers together under one roof. The event runs from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm and admission is free.

Employment opportunities

The job fair has something for everyone and anyone,  whether they’re searching for their first job, changing career, or simply looking for some advice with CV or interview skills.  

More than 400 jobs are being promoted and more than 35 employers will take part, including representatives from  retail, hospitality, engineering,  and many more. 

Advice and training organisations, including specialist disability organisations, will also be there to provide support on training and employment.

You can find out more at the link below:

Anyone in the market for a new career – or looking for the first step on the ladder – then the job fair is the place to be.

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Pregnant women advised to avoid animals giving birth

Date published: 20 March 2019

Pregnant women are advised to avoid close contact with farmed animals that are giving, or have recently given, birth. Infectious diseases sometimes carried by these animals can risk a mother-to-be’s health and that of her unborn child.

Avoiding infection

Reports of these infections are extremely rare. But it’s important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with these animals and that they take precautions.

It’s also important to note that the risks:

  • are not only during the spring
  • are not only associated with sheep – cows and goats that have recently given birth can also carry similar infections

To reduce the possible risk of infection, pregnant women should:

  • not help a ewe to lamb
  • not provide help with a cow that is calving or a nanny goat that is kidding
  • avoid contact with aborted or new-born lambs, calves or kids or with the afterbirth, birthing fluids or materials (for example, bedding) contaminated by such birth products
  • avoid handling clothing (including washing), boots or any materials which may have come into contact with animals that have recently given birth, their young or afterbirths (potentially contaminated clothing will be safe to handle after being washed on a hot cycle)
  • make sure people they’ll be in contact with who have been attending lambing ewes or other animals giving birth take appropriate health and hygiene precautions – this includes the wearing of personal protective equipment and clothing, and adequate washing to remove any potential contamination

Pregnant women should seek medical advice if they experience fever or flu-like symptoms, or if concerned that they could have picked up an infection from a farm environment.

Reducing risks

Farmers and livestock keepers have a responsibility to reduce the risks to pregnant women, including members of their family, the public and professional staff visiting farms.

They should consult their veterinary surgeon about suitable vaccination programmes and any other disease control measures in sheep, cattle and goats.

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