FLOODY MESS; 100s stranded as experts warn of more rain chaos.

Byline: CLAIRE BRENNAN

HUNDREDS of people were left stranded in their homes and cars yesterday after torrential downpours caused havoc around the country.

Heavy rain brought Cork city to a near standstill and a mudslide in nearby Belgooly resulted in road closures around the town.

There was also chaos in Limerick city after flash floods on Wednesday night meant many people awoke to water-logged gardens and trapped cars.

Nicola Hudson from the AA said: "Our Breakdown Service received a huge increase in the volume of calls from Cork, most of which were as a result of people driving through high water and flooding their engine.

"Drivers are urged to avoid driving through flood waters at all costs." Weather watchers warned the downpours will continue with some parts of the South experiencing up of 40mm of rainfall.

A Met Eireann forecaster said: "Areas of Cork and Limerick will be badly hit with up to 20mm on Friday night alone. By Saturday, the wet weather will move northwards with most of Leinster and Munster experiencing rain."

However, fans heading to Croke Park for the crunch World Cup soccer qualifier may be in luck.

The spokesman added: "It should stay dry for the match. However, there will be more rain on Sunday meaning up to 40mm will have fallen in some parts by the end of the weekend."

CAPTION(S):

RUINED Rachel O'Connor clears out her home in Glenbrook AFTERMATH A tree washed up by water beside cars in the Co Cork town BATTERED Cars swept away by the deluge in Glenbrook, Co Cork HIGH BUT NOT DRY Water surrounds houses in Garryowen, Limerick, yesterday