Big clean-up begins after Derry floods

Clearing up was getting under way in Derry today after flash floods brought chaos to the city.

Dozens of businesses and homes were badly damaged when heavy thunderstorms left large parts of the city under more than a foot of water.

Emergency services and staff from the Water Service, Rivers Agency and Roads Service worked through the night to clear roads and deliver hundreds of sandbags .

Police said that after their efforts all roads had now reopened and there were no reports of anyone being injured.

The floods built up swiftly on Monday afternoon when drains were unable to cope with the heavy rainfall.

Motorists were left trapped in their cars and manhole covers were blown off by the force of the rising waters.

At one stage the search and rescue team which normally operates on the River Foyle was used to help rescue people trapped in flooded homes and cars.

More heavy rainfall swept across Northern Ireland today as the Derry clear-up continued.