low lying areas around the Island caused by a mid-morning deluge.

Worst hit was the Palm Valley neighbourhood in Southampton, near the Southampton Rangers Club field.

One homeowner is left with thousands of dollars in mud damage as sandy wash from a construction site exacerbated flooding residents there normally face.

The Bermuda Fire Service reported the home had more than $3,000 worth of "extensive'' damage from mud and sand. Other homes were also damaged.

For four hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- when the last fire truck returned to its station -- water vacuums and water pumps were used to deal with flooding from Southampton to St. David's.

Firefighters stayed in the Southampton neighbourhood for nearly three hours, battling torrents of both rain and flood water.

Nearly the same amount of time was spent by firefighters at Cove Valley, St.

David's where, like Palm Valley, steep sided hills helped pool water before the earth could absorb it.

Firefighters went to several areas in the central parishes to combat flooding, particularly overfilled tanks and water collecting around clogged roadside drains.

In all, six trucks and 24 personnel were on the streets yesterday.

The Bermuda Weather Service report that in the 24 hour period to 3 p.m.

yesterday, 3.32 inches of rain fell on the Island.

Forecaster Dave Forbes reported yesterday that in the month of October, 7.65 inches of rain has fallen, which he said is not unusual because the tenth month is often the wettest.

"A good portion of that rain was the 2.8 inches in the six hours before 3 p.m.,'' Mr. Forbes said. "That's a pretty fair take (in rain) although I wouldn't say that's unusual for October.

"That's more than enough I would say,'' he added. "You don't get a deluge like that every year.'' Mr. Forbes explained the weekend rain was the result of an unorganised warm front which has generally moved to the north of Bermuda.

He added that another "arm'' of the front would approach the Island from the south, affecting the area Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

"This front doesn't appear to want to go away, that's the best way I can explain that,'' Mr. Forbes remarked. "There will be scattered showers over the next few days as well as the effects of this approaching system.'' On Saturday, the 36 foot fishing vessel Kimberly D ran aground on reefs at Daniel's Head, Sandys, near the wreck of the Vixen after loosing direction in a deluge.

The Police boat Heron Three went to the scene at Bermuda Harbour Radio's direction and was able to pull the fishing boat off the reef 45 minutes after the original call without further incident.

The Cindy Ann moored at Boaz Island, also went to the Kimberly D's assistance.

Weather also played a role in the postponement of both the Concert in the Park performance at Victoria Park and Handel's Messiah at Dockyard on Saturday.

The Concert in the Park has a rain date of next Sunday but when or if the Messiah will be performed is not known. It was part of a simultaneous programme around the world.