Homeowners were tonight counting the cost of a massive clean-up operation after severe thunderstorms left dozens of homes and roads flooded across the capital.
The downpour saw almost three weeks' rain fall in Dublin in a two hour period sparking flash floods.
Residents in a flats complex were evacuated, commuters left stranded and even hospital patients were affected by rain that turned rush-hour into gridlock.
Forecasters at Met Eireann said: "It was extremely rare to get that type of weather. It would happen in the summer but it's still extremely rare.
"But a repeat of something as intense as that is extremely unlikely in the next couple of days."
Most roads in Dublin are now passable after the overnight flooding caused severe disruption.
Kill Lane in Deans Grange was badly damaged by earlier flooding. Maintenance crew were currently working to make the road safe and motorists are asked to exercise care in the area.
The N11, which was closed from Booterstown Avenue to Fosters Avenue, and the Rock Road have reopened.
Dart services have resumed in both directions after being suspended earlier this morning. There are still some delays but a normal service should resume shortly. While Bayside Dart station is closed, the line is passable and through trains are unaffected. Gorey Commuter services have also resumed a normal service.
Almost three weeks’ average rainfall was recorded at Dublin Airport in a 90-minute period overnight.
Apartments housing 20 people on Sherrard Street were evacuated in the early hours of this morning due to flooding while Dublin Fire Brigade also attended at a house in Monkstown, Co Dublin, where the roof collapsed.
Met Éireann says heavy, thundery rain will continue in many areas with brighter weather forecast to spread to all areas as the day progresses. However it warned that some showers could again turn heavy and thundery in places.
Dublin City Council said potentially any house in the capital could have flooded overnight. A spokesman said emergency staff were on standby since a weather warning was issued by Met Éireann at 9pm and went out once rain began to fall at 2am.
“The rain was widespread and very intense with about 15 days rainfall in an hour,” he said. “The council had drainage staff, the fire brigade and traffic control staff out and liaised with the Garda Síochána.
“They were pumping drains and clearing roads. A lot of the roads that were impassable over night have now improved.”
The spokesman said the major emergency plan was not activated as services responded to the situation within their own resources. No sandbags were placed around the capital as rain was so widespread. “Sandbags are used as a response when one particular area is under threat,” he added. “We also would not have had time for that.”
Dublin Lord Mayor, Councillor Emer Costello today expressed her sympathy to those affected by the flooding.
Additional reporting: PA