More severe rain and winds forecast

Emergency services are bracing themselves for another day of torrential rain and strong winds.

Eastern areas are expected to be worst hit, according to Met Eireann, with heavy showers and winds of up to 60 m.p.h. anticipated.

Up to two inches of rain fell in some areas yesterday, causing widespread flooding, particularly in the south and south-east. Damage to power lines left up to 12,000 homes without electricity for a time and rail services were badly affected, with the Rosslare and Waterford lines closing because of a mudslide and collapsed wall.

Met Eireann forecaster Mr John Eagleton said further rain was "definite", although "possibly not as intense as we have had".

The Defence Forces, the Garda and the fire and ambulance services were involved in yesterday's relief efforts.

All over Dublin, roads were flooded and impassable. The River Dodder burst its banks behind Mount Carmel Hospital and the Dodder Road was under three to four feet of water. One family had a lucky escape when they left their car before it became submerged and sank into the river.

Serious floods swept through Portmarnock Road, Malahide Road, Lower Lucan Road, Leeson Street Upper, Finglas, Blanchardstown, Swords. The sea front at Bray and the Strand Road were closed. The Navan Road was closed due to flooding.

Damage was caused to houses in Kimmage when the River Poddle burst its banks and gardai imposed a 25 m.p.h. speed limit on the M50 because of the bad conditions.

In Tallaght, Dublin Fire Brigade rescued 30 passengers from a Bus Eireann coach which was a trapped when its engine choked and would not restart after entering a water-filled dip in the road between Jobstown and Cheeverstown.

Initial efforts to move the coach using a Dublin Bus vehicle failed after the second vehicle also became stuck. The fire brigade was then called when it was discovered a passenger had a medical condition which required attention.

In Cork, the fire brigade responded to almost 300 emergency calls with rising floodwaters trapping people in their homes and making many roads impassable.

In Clonmel, Co Tipperary, the quays and other areas were flooded and some people had to be evacuated from their homes.

Waterford city and south Kilkenny were also badly hit and a mudslide on the Mullinavat-Waterford road blocked one side of the road, causing severe delays.

While the severe wind and rain had eased by early last night, the incoming tide was expected to bring floods to the quays and other areas of Waterford city.