LAGMORE Heights was one of the areas worst affected in last week’s flooding, with a nearby stream bursting its banks and covering the area with water and silt from a nearby construction site.

As the flood waters subsided, up to 10 inches of brown sludge was left lying on the street and in the driveways of many residents’ homes, some of whom spoke to the Andersonstown News about the lengths people went to save their belongings during and after the deluge.

“It was like something out of the Bible,” said Lagmore Heights resident Lisa McKernan, whose home was badly affected by the flooding.

“We knocked down our garden fences to let the water escape but it was no use.  The manhole covers were lifted up with the water and I ended up falling down a manhole as I could not see where I was going, the water was up to my hip.  My son fell from the force of the water coming through here and became totally submerged, God knows what he swallowed as there was all sorts in it – I could see faeces in it.”

Residents not affected by the floodwaters sprang to their neighbours’ aid, ripping interior doors from their homes to use as barriers against the flooding.

“We tried calling everyone – the Rivers Agency, NI Water, everyone – but no-one came until today,” said Lisa.

“The only people who helped us was David Bell [a local Sinn Féin councillor]  and our neighbours.  Someone has to take responsibility for this.

“We were flooded before in 2008 so it’s not as if the authorities did not know this area wasn’t at risk. Half of us cannot even afford to pay for insurance to help with this mess.

“It’s just awful.”

We’re paying enough as it is, thank you

Water filled street in minutes flowing over garden walls’

Where were the sandbags?

Victims’ no-insurance nightmare

Tears follow the flooding