Heavy rain storms continued to batter Bermuda yesterday, causing widespread flooding in central and western parishes.

Bermuda Weather Service revealed that less than half an inch of rain (0.42) had been recorded at the airport by 8.30pm last night, but duty meteorologist Robert Howlett said central areas and the West End would have been hit by more.

“This is definitely an extended period of rain and showers, atypical of summertime,” he said. “A stationary front has been wavering around us and we don’t usually see this in summertime, it’s pretty wet.

“The West End of the Island got the worst of it, looking at the radar.”

Mr Howlett said that by 3pm yesterday, 4.52 inches of rain had fallen so far this month — the monthly average is 5.64 inches.

Motorists faced delays and diversions, with poor visibility in the middle of the afternoon as well as slick and waterlogged roads.

A deep puddle blocked Woodlands Road in Hamilton, forcing many cars and bikes to turn back and seek alternate routes.

Cars parked at Bermuda Athletic Association were surrounded by inches-deep water by mid-afternoon, while roads around Bulls Head Car Park were also affected.

Even sections of higher ground on South Shore Road had pools of deep water, including near Swizzle Inn and at Church Bay. Middle Road near Fairmont Southampton Resort was also waterlogged, prompting traffic diversions.

Rain-lashed tourists could be seen sheltering under beach towels at bus stops after fleeing Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay when the heavens opened at about 1pm.

Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service assisted with flooding at The Reefs hotel on South Shore Road in Southampton at about 2.30pm yesterday.

Four firefighters responded to the incident but there was no damage, the service said.

Bermuda Maritime Operations said they had received calls about boats sinking at their moorings because of rain flooding.

A spokesman said that “in the region of four boats” had been reported as being in trouble yesterday, and that these were moored at different locations around the Island.

Mr Howlett warned the wet weather was likely to continue for the next few days.

“We’re going to be in and out of this for the rest of the week,” he said. “There’s a chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday morning and it will be breezy, with more rain and showers on Thursday and Friday.

“The rainfall isn’t a record for the month but we’ve had 4.52 inches, so we’re getting close to the average already.”

The Weather Service said 2.01 inches of rain fell on Sunday, with a rain-cooled record daily low temperature of 70.5°F, and that 0.52 inches of rain fell on Monday.