Flooding and travel disruption as Storm Claudia hits Wales
Gareth LeeDanger to life warnings are in force after Storm Claudia hit Wales with heavy rainfall, causing flooding and travel disruption.
The Met Office placed nine of Wales' local authority areas under an amber weather warning, ending at 23:59 GMT on Friday, with up to 15cm (5.9in) of rain expected in some areas.
Natural Resources Wales warned of a danger to life along the River Monnow at Forge Road and Skenfrith amid a severe risk of flooding, while fire crews responded to property flooding in the Abergavenny and Monmouth areas.
Travel disruption on Friday included train cancellations between London Paddington and Bristol because of flooding, as well as some ferry services between Wales and Ireland.
South and mid Wales were expected to bear the brunt of the storm, while a yellow warning for rain was issued for a larger area of the UK.
The latest downpours came days after flooding in Carmarthen was described by one business owner as the "worst in living memory".
Hundreds of homes were without power on Friday evening, according to the National Grid, including 330 in Cardiff, 285 in Tregaron, 68 near St Clears, and 41 in Camarthen.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said multiple crews dealt with property flooding in the Abergavenny and Monmouth areas, while rescues were launched for vehicles caught in floodwaters, though none posed an immediate risk to life.
Heavy rain caused the Esplanade in Penarth to flood, forcing businesses such as Chef G's to close.
Its owner Gareth Lee said the restaurant had around 40 people booked in before the road flooded, and described the situation as a "big loss" for his business.
He added that the fire brigade were called to remove a car stuck in the floodwater.
The Met Office warned the storm could lead to a loss of power and other essential services, such as gas, water or mobile phone services.
It said some communities could become cut off by flooded roads, with road closures, delays or cancellations to train and bus services.
Which areas are affected by the amber warning?
- Blaenau Gwent
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Torfaen
South Wales Police said a respite centre open at Ynysybwl Community Centre in Pontypridd would be open "for those in need".
Some businesses in Pontypridd prepared for the bad weather by placing sandbags along Mill Street, which has previously flooded.
NRW said severe flooding could occur in southeast Wales and Powys, with potential for the impact of the rain on larger rivers in those areas only becoming evident over several day, as the water flows down the catchment.
With rivers already swollen and the ground saturated, further flood alerts and warnings are likely, NRW said.
Alun Attwood, duty tactical manager, said: "We do not provide flood warnings for flooding from surface water, so it's important for everyone to know their flood risk.
"We want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe."
He advised people to "think about preparing a flood kit with any important documents and medication, moving your car to higher ground, and moving treasured possessions upstairs or to a higher place".
"We also want to remind people to keep away from swollen riverbanks and not to drive or walk through flood waters as you don't know what lies beneath," he added.
Travel Disruption
The heavy rain and flooding affected roads, railways and ferry services on Friday.
The M4 was among the worst-hit routes, with flooding leading to long delays around Newport and Neath Port Talbot.
Ferry services were severely affected, with Stena Line sailings from Fishguard and Holyhead cancelled due to the poor weather, and Irish Ferries suspending all crossings from Holyhead and Pembroke.
Train services were further disrupted, with replacement buses operating in place of Transport for Wales services running between Hereford and Newport, while in Gwynedd trains have been replaced by buses between Blaenau Ffestiniog and North Llanrwst.
