Apart from a half hour of torrential rain at midday yesterday, the Foyle Maritime Festival ran smoothly till around 6 pm and then due to Health and Safety concerns had to end its programme of events. A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that due to torrential rain on Saturday evening (23rd July) and to ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff, the Foyle Maritime Festival was closed early.
Hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to Derry City for the four days of the Festival, with the Clipper Round the World fleet at the Marina for its penultimate stopover being a huge attraction.
The Clipper Round the World fleet at Foyle Marina
The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from midday until 21:00 BST and Police advised drivers in the Foyle area of hazardous driving conditions due to flooding.
The BBC reported that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has said six people were rescued during the heavy flooding in the Londonderry and Strabane areas. One person was rescued from a vehicle in water, while five people trapped in flooded properties were also rescued. Further heavy rain is expected today.
The Festival will reopen at 12 noon today (Sunday), conditions being favourable, and the Clipper Race Parade of Sail will commence at 1 pm.
