Firefighters at scene of a lightning strike in Ballycastle, Co Antrim

Thousands of homes across Northern Ireland were left without electricity last night while drivers struggled on flooded roads.

Flash flooding hit the north west especially hard, and the atrocious weather even led to an Armagh swimming pool being closed. Northern Ireland Electricity told the Belfast Telegraph that 3,000 homes were without power at around 8.45pm after lightning struck transformers in Ballymena, Ballymoney, Lisburn and Campsie.

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The power cuts were spread sporadically throughout Northern Ireland, with no single area hit particularly badly.

Engineers were last night working on repairing the damage.

In Armagh the Orchard Leisure Centre informed customers its swimming pool and other leisure facilities were closed "due to heavy rain and conditions beyond our control".

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Daniel McCrossan said many of his constituents called to report cars trapped in flood water across different parts of Omagh, Strabane and Castlederg.

Elsewhere, Derry City and Strabane councillor Graham Warke called for help for residents who had their gardens submerged in Primity Gardens in the Newbuildings area on the outskirts of the city.

He also called for sandbags to be sent to a nearby care home.

Last night he shared a photo on Facebook showing neighbours working together to prevent the flood water destroying the family homes.

"This is what it is like when a community come to help a family," he said. "Honestly, I have never seen weather like it.

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"All roads around Londonderry are treacherous with many closed and a lot of people stuck.

"My thoughts are with the family in Newbuildings tonight and anyone affected by tonight's flooding. Stay safe folks. Thank you everyone who helped tonight."

With visibility on the roads drastically reduced, the PSNI and NI Fire and Rescue Service urged drivers to exercise extra caution by reducing speed and leaving extra breaking distance.

Following the torrential downpour, the Met Office predicted drier conditions throughout the night with heavy mist.

Today the mist is to fade, staying mainly dry with some bright or sunny intervals.

Showers are expected in the afternoon and evening, with maximum temperatures reaching 20C.

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Looking forward to the rest of the week, the forecast for Thursday and Friday will see sunny intervals and heavy showers.

Saturday is likely to become drier and more settled with fewer showers.

The Northern Ireland Flooding Incident Line number can be reached on 0300 2000 100

Belfast Telegraph