An inch-and-a-quarter of rain fell across Bermuda during a 24-hour period that saw thunderstorms and rain showers drench the Island.

Firefighters were called out to deal with two localised floods as drains became blocked during the heaviest of the downpours.

Dr. Lou McNally at the Bermuda Weather Service said the total rainfall recorded up to midday yesterday was 1.26 inches for the 24 hour period, pushing the yearly total to nearly 40 inches in total, about seven inches higher than normal for this stage in the year.

The spectacular thunderstorms that rattled across the Island during Wednesday night and Thursday morning were associated with a frontal system moving down from the north.

Firefighters were called out around 8.45 a.m. yesterday to deal with flooding in Roberts Avenue, Devonshire, caused by blocked drains. The water had backed up into a yard and covered a 20 by 30 feet area. It was cleared away by firefighters using a portable pump.

Lt. Dana Lovell, of Bermuda Fire Service, said a second flooding incident occurred in St. John?s Road, Pembroke between Gorhams and Arnold?s super-market at 2 p.m. when a section of water eight inches deep required firefighters to use a submergible pump to divert the water, which was threatening to inundate a property, onto an adjacent lawn.

Kimberley Zuill, of Bermuda Weather Service, said the monthly rainfall total for August, as of late yesterday evening stood at 2.08 inches.

She said the forecast for today would be for clearer skies with showers and sunshine tomorrow with the showers expected to have cleared away completely by Sunday.