Heavy rain has yet again caused disruption across County Fermanagh, with multiple issues being raised by motorists and farmers by the rain – with Met Office data showing that Fermanagh has been significantly soaked with rain more than usual for this time of year.

On Friday morning, there were traffic disruption and delays with reports of surface water on the Tempo Road, Enniskillen and Nutfield Road between Lisnaskea and Brookeborough.

Queen Street, Enniskillen and the Queen Elizabeth Road were both closed for a time before reopening.

In relation to the flooding at the Queen Elizabeth Road, a DfI spokesperson said: “The Department has investigated the flooding issue ... Some work has been undertaken to clear the pipes and the Department will consider what further work needs to be completed to revise and improve the system. This work will be subject to available funding.”

Elsewhere, farmers on the banks of the Colebrooke River worked together to rescue sheep after flooding struck.

Overall, according to Met Office data, October’s rain itself was slightly above average for the UK, with Northern Ireland exceeding its long-term average rainfall from 1991-2020 by more than 50 per cent.

Northern Ireland’s total rainfall for the month of October was measured at 176mm – some 54 per cent more than its average.

However, here in Fermanagh, rainfall was significantly above the long-term average – with rainfall recorded at between 150 to 200 per cent of the average October rainfall, depending on location.

Fermanagh’s Border region saw the greatest increase in average rainfall, at 200 per cent or double the long-term (30-year) average, feeding into ongoing flooding issues within the county and area.

Prior to Friday’s flooding, a local farming family also raised flooding concerns regarding their area.

The Wilsons, of Wilson Poultry Limited, based on the Nutfield Road between Lisnaskea and Brookeborough, have seen their site subject to flash flooding ordeals since their hen houses were built in 2008.

The family raised concerns regarding surface water on the Nutfield Road which they believe is posing a serious risk to motorists.

The farmers have had some difficulty regarding flood water impacting their yard and sheds, which have been highlighted in this newspaper.

Concerns were again raised by the family last Friday morning, October 28, when the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) had to attend their yard to help pump out flood water.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter following repeated flooding in September and October, Trevor Wilson said: “There are sections of the Nutfield Road which are impassable with water on the road. It is a health and safety risk.

“Where the water lies, it is a blind spot on the road – you could come around the corner, and with the water you are in it before you see it.”

Trevor and family have to deal with the continued risk of flooding to their hen houses; thankfully, hens have not been impacted this time, but with repeated risk to essential and expensive equipment, there is a cause for concern.

He added: “With bird flu being about, there is a risk of that getting in, too.”

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter previously about where changes need to be made, Trevor said: “Last September, [the] Road Service came out and agreed that they needed to sort out the drain under the road; up to now, there has been one excuse after another.

“There is a 33-inch drain that comes from the Tullyneevin Road; it comes to us, and there is a 12-inch drain from our property and away, and in that it has two 90-degree bends to go through.

“Road Service had agreed to run a drain straight across the road at an angle which would take a larger volume of water.”

The Impartial Reporter raised a query with the DfI in regards to the wider area of the Nutfield Road and the Wilsons’ property.

In response, a DfI spokesperson said: “The Department is aware of a flooding issue at this location and is currently considering a number of options to determine if there is a feasible solution.”