Flooding 'likely' as Met Office issues County Down rain warning

The warning is in effect from 21:00 GMT on Friday until 03:00 on Saturday for parts of County Down

The Met Office has warned that flooding is "likely" in areas of County Down as a yellow rain warning is issued.

The warning is in effect from 21:00 GMT from Friday until 03:00 on Saturday.

The Met Office has warned of potential flooding to some homes and businesses , with transport services also likely to be affected.

The latest warning comes after heavy rain caused severe flooding in Downpatrick, Newry and Portadown earlier this month.

South Down is expected to see most rain overnight, with 15-25mm of rain to fall here in a relatively short period of time. Areas of higher ground are predicted to see 40-50 mm.

The warning comes after the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hillary Benn visited traders impacted by recent flooding there.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster, Mr Benn said the floods were "devastating" for so many businesses in these commuinties.

• Family living in mobile home after Newry floods

• Residents almost knee-deep in water after flooding

"From a dentist surgery all the way to a company working with glass, these people work with high-tech machinery that has been destroyed by the water," Mr Benn said.

He said many business owners he spoke with said they were somewhat blindsided by the flooding.

'Lessons need to be learned'

"A lot of businesses said if we had some warning we could've moved stock," he said.

"It is striking that there isn't a flood warning system which sends a message to your phone, or your tablet or email that tells you flooding is coming.

"That is one of the issues I hope will come out of the review that needs to be done to learn the lessons from what has happened."

The UK government pledged £15m to help flood-hit firms in Northern Ireland to cover the clean-up and resume trading.

But some have criticised the amount on offer, with one trade body saying that about £37m is needed for Newry alone.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said grants of £7,500 would be given to the affected business from next Monday.

Downpatrick's main shopping street was under floodwater, leaving dozens of premises badly damaged

Paul McCartan, who owns two shops in Downpatrick, has had to move into temporary premises because of flood damage.

Mr McCartan said he has received his £7,500 payment and is grateful for it, but said he must remain hopeful that more money is forthcoming to businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

"Last week I was ready to cry but this week I am a lot more positive. Look, we are in a historic county town and doors are starting to open again and a lot of remedial work is being done," Mr McCartan said.

"I have to say I am much more positive. The £7,500 we received has enabled me to get the builder to go ahead with remedial work to get a pop-up shop open tomorrow.

"Downpatrick is open for business in the run-up to Christmas. We have to be there because we owe it to the people of Downpatrick to be there and we are working flat-out to do that."

Hillary Benn said he will raise the issue of flooding in Northern Ireland and the response to it in Westminster next week.