Storm Chandra Northern Ireland: Almost a month's rain in one day at Katesbridge, says Met Office

So far Northern Ireland as a whole has had 1.5 times the normal amount of rain for January - with almost five days of figure still to be added into the total.

There was major travel disruption caused by the strong winds and torrential rain, with flooded roads and fallen trees reported across Northern Ireland.

Authorities advised that 366 schools right across NI were closed due to adverse weather conditions.

Lane 2 of the M1 motorway westbound at Sprucefield at Junction 7 was closed due to storm flooding, with motorists asked to avoid the area.

An amber warning for strong winds was valid until 9pm today in Antrim, Down and Derry, and a yellow rain warning in effect until midnight tonight across all of NI.

Met Office Senior Operational Meteorologist Dan Stroud told the News Letter that NI has had an exceptionally wet month.

"Overall Northern Ireland has had 164.2 mm of rain so far this month, this is 1.5 times the normal January average as we still have to add in the figures from this morning and what will fall over the coming few days," he said.

He also explained how almost a month's rain had fallen in Katesbridge, Co Down in one day.

"In terms of rainfall Katesbridge has reported 100.8mm of rain over the last 24 hours to 09:00 this morning,” he said.

“This sets a new all-time record for this location, the previous all-time daily record was 70.7mm from 25th August 1986 – the average January rainfall for County Down is 104.73mm.”

Asked if this 43% jump in the daily rainfall record at the site means that almost a month’s rain has fallen in one day there, he replied: “Exactly that.”

The site has been operational for 42 years, he added.

Mean wind speeds across NI ranged from 34-45mph today - gale conditions - but were expected to pick up somewhat tonight night.

The strongest gust at the time of writing was at Magilligan, country Londonderry at 63mph.

At least 30 flights at Belfast City Airport were cancelled today while Belfast International Airport said it was experiencing delays on some flights.

Translink has warned that passengers should allow for delays and possible disruption to their journey.

Strangford Lough Ferry Service was cancelled all this morning with Rathlin Ferry also cancelled.

The public have been warned of danger to life from flying debris, large waves at coasts, travel disruption, buildings damage, flooding, fallen trees, and possible power cuts.

Northern Ireland Electricity said the number of households without power peaked at 9am when 10,000 properties were without supply.

Police said persistent rain had already led to flooding, closing roads in Lisburn, Ards, Antrim, Newry and Armagh.

In a statement, the Department for Infrastructure warned that water levels will continue to raise after Chandra has passed.

"River levels are high and likely to increase further as the recent rain flushes through the system," it said.

"Water levels in Lough Neagh and Lough Erne are expected to continue to rise for the rest of this week.

"Rivers staff continue to attend drainage infrastructure, monitor water levels in Rivers and Loughs and respond to calls to the Flooding Incident Line."

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In Gilford, Superstars Daycare & Afterschool suffered serious flooding.

“Absolutely heartbroken to be writing this again,” said proprietor Tara McKibben on social media.

“After only two-and-a-half years, the entire downstairs level of Superstars has been flooded once more.

“I’ve poured blood, sweat, literal tears and a huge amount of money into restoring the downstairs, only reopening it in April 2024. To be facing this again is devastating.”

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood said it was “really awful to see the disruption and devastation that this has caused some properties".

She added: “Unfortunately, some homes in Lagan Valley have been flooded.”