Electricity and phone lines were cut yesterday in about 800 homes in Galway city and the rural eastern part of the county, following heavy rain and lightning.
The downpour was such that the resulting flood caused the closure of the main Galway to Oranmore dual carriageway.
Gardaí set up diversions in and out of Galway city via Carnmore, which were in place for a number of hours because of the level of rainfall. Emergency ESB crews were out late to mend fallen power lines and restored electricity to all but 250 homes which had been cut for a number of hours.
Galway Fire Brigade reported that the worst of the flooding was in commercial premises in the city centre, close to the Spanish Arch and Flood Street near the docks, and at Woodquay on the Corrib river.
Sandbags were put out to try and stave off serious damage, but fire tenders were deployed to pump out commercial premises in Augstine Street, at the Spanish Arch and at the Taidhbhearc Theatre in Middle Street. A tender was also sent to the Brewery Pub in Wood Quay, when the cellar became flooded.
Tenders were send from Athenry, Co Galway, to assist, and there were reports of flash floods on the Dublin road near Oranmore and on the Tuam road north of the city. A Galway Fire Brigade spokesman said that he was not aware that any residents had been evacuated.
The Spanish Arch area is susceptible to flooding when there is a combination of heavy rain and a high tide. Heavy rain throughout the past week has blocked gullies, and is believed to have compounded last night's situation.
The rain was part of what Met Éireann described as passing heavy showers in a day of sunny spells where overall temperatures ranged from 17 to 20 degrees. Clear spells and scattered showers were expected overnight.