Commuters hit by flooded roads

Rush-hour motorists face traffic chaos today after severe thunderstorms flooded roads across the capital.

Dublin Fire Brigade warned people not to drive unless necessary after almost three weeks’ average rainfall was recorded at Dublin Airport in a 90-minute period overnight.

The worst-affected routes in the city were around the airport, at the M1 at the entrance to the Port Tunnel and the M1/M50 interchange, and the Coast Road.

In Dublin’s Mater Hospital, patients escaped without injury when part of a roof collapsed in a ward on the top floor.

Its A&E department was also closed because of flooding.

Twenty people were rescued from an apartment block on Sherrard Street, off North Circular Road.

Elsewhere, there were no Dart or commuter train services running in either direction between Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey.

Dublin Fire Brigade feared flooding in some areas would worsen at high tide at 8.45am.

AA Roadwatch said while all coastal roads have improved significantly from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, many more on the northside are still affected by surface water.

The Ballymun Road, Collins Avenue East, Richmond Road in Drumcondra, Botanic Avenue and the Swords Road at the Swiss Cottage are impassable.

Traffic on the M50 is also beginning to move well both ways.

On the southside the N11 southbound before Loughlinstown is still flooded.

Dublin Fire Brigade said drivers should not attempt to drive through flood waters.

Met Éireann said there was also a continuing risk of further heavy showers.