The big flood

Sentinel reporter, Olga Bradshaw caught the start of the thunderous downpour which brought much of the city to a standstill, flooding both ends of the underpass at Craigavon Bridge, while in the Bogside Westland Street resembled a river and the Lecky Road was completely impassable.

Emergency services were stretched to the limit helping commuters caught out by the deluge, and members of the Fire and Rescue Service found themselves operating the pumps on fire tenders to try and alleviate the flood waters.

On the Waterside gulleys spewed out muddy water, manhole covers were lifted by the force of water funning through the storm drains and streets were awash with runoff trying to escape, while playing fields in low-lying areas looked more like outdoor swimming pools than grass play areas.