ABU DHABI // The UAE was battered by fierce winds, torrential rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday morning. The skies darkened as the storm hit Abu Dhabi at about 11.30am, blowing down trees and lampposts and causing severe flooding. Dramatic videos of the storm and its aftermath quickly spread on social media, showing cars submerged in water, debris flying through the air and damage to buildings. Winds of up to 126km per hour battered the capital, according to recordings taken by the National Centre of Seismology and Meterorology at Al Bateen Airport. Over 240 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in an area between Dubai and Al Ain. Just after midday, Abu Dhabi International Airport tweeted that “due to severe weather conditions, flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport are suspended until further notice". A video was also posted online of water pouring through the ceiling in one of the gates. By 1.30pm the airport said flights had resumed as normal. Etihad Airways announced on Twitter that 10 flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi International Airport had been delayed and 11 incoming flights had to be diverted. Al Bateen Airport, where the Abu Dhabi Air Expo was taking place, had to be evacuated after reports that tents had been blown down. Flights were also delayed in Dubai, said Emirates airline. “Emirates passengers in Dubai are requested to check their flight status before heading to the airport," said a company spokesman. On the roads, there were numerous reports of lengthy tailbacks caused by flooding. Emirati Mohammed Al Qemzi, 52, had to postpone his trip from Abu Dhabi to Jebel Ali when he saw the massive traffic jam on the E11 motorway heading to Dubai. “Traffic was at a standstill from Al Rahba to Ghantoot," he said. “I was already at Al Rahba at about 11.30am but decided to return to the city, after seeing the chaos on the roads." Dubai Police said about 3,200 calls were made to the command and control room on Wednesday. Lt Col Khazraj Al Khazraji, deputy director of the control room, said there were 253 road accidents but no fatalities. Col Saif Al Mazrouei, director of Dubai traffic police, urged motorists to take extra caution. “Road accidents, when there is heavy rain, can lead to serious consequences, especially if a person is driving recklessly," he said. Moaza Al Marri, director of corporate communications at the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai, said: “We have mobilised our emergency road agency team and currently have 101 of our team on site. We have called on 21 contractors and partners of our road maintenance team to help with the situation," she said. “There are also 15 pumps removing water from where it has collected, and 10 tankers helping to manage the volume of water." She said most of the floods were on Sheikh Zayed Road in the direction of Abu Dhabi and at Jebel Ali. “We are asking people to use alternative routes to avoid any delays on the road," she said. Ms Al Marri added that the RTA is asking people to drive safely by slowing down and avoid flooded areas. Schools across the country were also closed, with the Ministry of Education announcing they would also be shut on Thursday. For the GEMS American Academy in Khalifa A it proved to be a wise decision as the storm blew off a large part of the building’s facade. No injuries occurred from the incident, and the school was in the process of assessing the damage and organising repairs, a spokesman said. Many schools also closed for the day in Dubai. The Dubai English Speaking School posted on Twitter that it and the Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) would be closing early on Wednesday.. “Urgent Notice: The weather is not improving and the roads are getting worse. Safety of students and staff is our prime concern," said the statement.