The relatively new housing development off the Silverwood Road is built beside the Halfpenny River which burst its banks on Saturday.

The 'MAIL' spoke to one resident of Knockramer Meadows coming to terms with the devastating effect of the floodwaters.

"The whole downstairs is gutted," she said as workmen ripped up her sodden carpet and dumped it into a trailer along with the remains of her wooden floor.

She felt let down by the authorities.

"I don't think anybody knew how to cope with the crisis," she commented.

"Fire fighters said there was nothing they could do because it's not a matter of life or death."

She said she was furious at council for trying to take credit for "saving the day" when they couldn't even get sandbags delivered to the worst hit areas.

"The first I saw of the Rivers Agency was on Sunday morning," she added.

She told how her partner had to go off in search of sandbags but it was too late.

"It was coming in every door," she said.

"We were trying to save as many things as we could by getting them upstairs. Most things got wet. I don't know yet if half the things will be OK. The downstairs floors are ruined.

"We were trying to save the big things. But the things that you think are insignificant like lamps and the PlayStation all add up."

Another Knockramer Meadows couple told how the back garden had become a no-go area for the children.

"The whole of the back garden is covered in waste oil," said Shane McCluskey. "We've a wee girl at three who is only out of hospital and another wee boy who's four.

His wife Julieann added: "We can't let the kids or the dog out into the garden. We can't let them play with their toys because they're covered in oil."

Their garage and conservatory were both flooded and Shane described the panic as the water came in round them: "We were standing in the garage bailing water out," he said.

"We just realised that it was getting into the conservatory too.

"My brother in law came down in his tractor to try and suck some water out. But he took one look at it and said it would be like taking a tea cup out of it."