While parts of the country enjoyed sunshine yesterday there was a flash flood in Westport, Co Mayo. Rain, thunder and lightning began at about 3:30 p.m. "It was like a tropical storm, you couldn't have gone out in it even with an umbrella," said one witness. Although it lasted only half an hour, the rain proved too much for the drainage system and left streets in both the town and the outlying estate of Carrowbeg flooded.
In some places the water level reached two feet. Pedestrians were forced to complete their journeys barefoot or in wellingtons.
The bottom of the town's main street and the Mall were particularly affected with water seeping into a newsagent's, a pub and the back of a supermarket.
The flooding created traffic problems "for about 30 minutes or so, but it's grand now" a local garda said at about 8 p.m.