Newry Flooding 1st February 2002 - What were the Odds?

The worst floods in recent times in Newry took place twenty years ago today, 1 February 2002.

High tides and strong winds and rain of course combined to flood a large part of Monaghan Street in the town with Catherine Street and Edward Street suffering as well.

Community spirit was much to the fore with some brave motorists battling through the river of water regardless, to rescue stricken customers from shops while fire and ambulance crews escorted others to a drier part of the street.

Shops flooded on the day included McParlands, Savages, McEvoys and Sunray Bakery to name a few.

Punters were left staring out of Hughes Bookmakers wondering 'What were the odds?'

Looking back on our Newry.ie photographs from the day it's noticeable that the water was not the only thing to have disappeared in the interim!

The large towering presence of North Street Flats were very much in view while Cupids or Edsels on the corner of Merchants Quay may have been gone but the outline of The Exchange, now Bellinis was well underway. The Police Station was still on Catherine Street. Mind you a few of the derelict buildings on view are still derelict 20 years later!