Storm Chandra complicates work of Search and Rescue Volunteers at River Lagan looking for Gary Bain and Archie Boal
Extreme flooding in the River Lagan has only complicated the work of search and rescue volunteers - who have been looking for two missing men for over a fortnight.
Seventy-five-year-old Archie Boal was last seen in the Brewery Lane area of Dromore on Tuesday afternoon, 20 January.
Gary Bain, aged 37, was last seen in the Ormeau Bridge area of Belfast the next morning, Wednesday 21 January.
Storm Chandra, which swept across the UK on 26-27 January, brought strong winds and persistent heavy rainfall with already saturated ground.
In Katesbridge, Co Down, almost one month's rain fell in 24 hours - a new record for the site in its 42 year history.
However Sean McCarry OBE, Regional Commander of Community Rescue Service (CRS), said that the searches continued regardless, with volunteer teams out "every day and night" in both Dromore and Belfast City Centre.
The unpaid volunteers often carry out their role around their main employment hours.
The weather conditions had been challenging and as the river was very high, bursting its banks at various locations, Sean said.
The conditions made searching "much more difficult and dangerous" and CRS took extra precautions to ensure the safety of their teams.
Even after the flooding has eased off, the impact has complicated the search efforts, he said.
"The conditions have been challenging and have certainly impacted the search changing the parameters significantly," he told the News Letter.
"Our search area is extensive and wide ranging with areas flooded that would normally not be.
"Whilst carrying out these searches we also have continued to respond to other emergencies in the same area in other areas across NI."
"We are very grateful for the support of our volunteers and the police who are working in close partnership with us on these incidents. We are also so grateful and appreciative of the support from the general public and the businesses who continue to assist."
"Our thanks and thoughts are with the families at this difficult time and their support is invaluable also.”
Police asked for anyone who saw Gary in the days before he went missing or who has dashcam footage from the area he went missing to contact them on tel 101 ref 174 of 21/01/2026. Anyone with information on Archie Boal can call 101 ref 798 20/01/26.