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Storm Dennis: man dies after falling into River Tawe in south Wales – latest news Storm Dennis: man dies after falling into River Tawe in south Wales – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Highest number of warnings in place on record across the country as authorities warn of risk to life Highest number of warnings on record in place across the country as authorities warn of risk to life
The MP for Pontypridd has issued a statement saying she was “heartbroken” to see more than 600 people evacuated from their homes and placed in emergency accommodation last night.
Alex Davies-Jones said more than 1,000 homes have been damaged by the floods and there is damage to local infrastructure.
South Wales is reeling from Storm Dennis, which has brought severe flooding and landslides to the region, and led police to declare a major incident.
Streets have been evacuated by lifeboat in some of the worst-hit areas and people moved to emergency rescue centres after their properties and businesses were devastated by water from overflowing rivers.
Jennifer Gilmer, Assistant Chief Constable with south Wales police, said:
The force have told people in affected areas to stay indoors unless a journey was necessary, avoid waterways, and monitor local and social media for updates.
One of the worst-hit areas in south Wales was the village of Nantgarw, Rhondda Cynon Taff, near Cardiff, which has had entire streets left underwater since the early hours of Sunday morning.
Emergency teams including firefighters and volunteers had been evacuating the village’s Oxford Street since around 5am and were still working at midday on Sunday.
Paul Mason, the group manager of south Wales fire and rescue service, said the scene his team had faced was the worst he had experienced in his 31-year career.
He said some residents had refused to leave their homes despite being encouraged to, but would be monitored for their safety.
Melanie Hughes, 38, who was evacuated by lifeboat with along with her husband and two daughters, said she was awoken by shouting and car alarms in the early hours, and said many of their family’s possessions had been lost. She said:
A number of Welsh rugby clubs have been severely affected by Storm Dennis.A number of Welsh rugby clubs have been severely affected by Storm Dennis.
Bedwas RFC, a rugby union club near Caerphilly, south Wales, reported their lounge, function room, bar, cellar and rugby facilities have all been seriously damaged.Bedwas RFC, a rugby union club near Caerphilly, south Wales, reported their lounge, function room, bar, cellar and rugby facilities have all been seriously damaged.
Rival team Cross Keys RFC also ended up underwater after severe downpours caused flooding across south Wales.Rival team Cross Keys RFC also ended up underwater after severe downpours caused flooding across south Wales.
A man has died after falling into the River Tawe, in south Wales, police said.A man has died after falling into the River Tawe, in south Wales, police said.
A tweet from the Ystradgynlais neighbourhood policing team at Dyfed Powys Police, said:A tweet from the Ystradgynlais neighbourhood policing team at Dyfed Powys Police, said:
There are now six severe flood warnings in place across England and Wales, as Storm Dennis continues to bring rising water levels and landslides.There are now six severe flood warnings in place across England and Wales, as Storm Dennis continues to bring rising water levels and landslides.
A severe flood warning means there is danger to life.A severe flood warning means there is danger to life.
Hundreds more flood alerts and warnings are in place across the country, with it emerging earlier that this is the highest number of warnings in place on record.Hundreds more flood alerts and warnings are in place across the country, with it emerging earlier that this is the highest number of warnings in place on record.
There are two severe flooding warnings in Wales, one in the south-west and one in the south-east. In England, the warnings are in place for areas across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.There are two severe flooding warnings in Wales, one in the south-west and one in the south-east. In England, the warnings are in place for areas across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
The flooding clean-up has begun in Newcastleton in the Scottish borders, where 80 homes were flooded and 12 streets left under water.The flooding clean-up has begun in Newcastleton in the Scottish borders, where 80 homes were flooded and 12 streets left under water.
Two people had to be rescued by emergency services after their car was swept off the road by flood waters near Newcastleton. They were taken to hospital and have since been discharged.Two people had to be rescued by emergency services after their car was swept off the road by flood waters near Newcastleton. They were taken to hospital and have since been discharged.
Three rivers in the Borders reached the highest on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s records and residents in Newcastleton reported experiencing some of the worst flooding in the village’s history.Three rivers in the Borders reached the highest on the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency’s records and residents in Newcastleton reported experiencing some of the worst flooding in the village’s history.
Hawick’s Slitrig Water, the Jed Water at Chesters and the Liddel Water at Newcastleton saw a rapid rise in water levels caused by Storm Dennis.Hawick’s Slitrig Water, the Jed Water at Chesters and the Liddel Water at Newcastleton saw a rapid rise in water levels caused by Storm Dennis.
Nearly 16cm of rainfall in 48 hours and wind speeds of 91mph have been recorded as Storm Dennis continues to cause chaos across the UK.Nearly 16cm of rainfall in 48 hours and wind speeds of 91mph have been recorded as Storm Dennis continues to cause chaos across the UK.
The highest rainfall occurred in south Wales, where Crai Resr received 157.6mm of rainfall in 48 hours.The highest rainfall occurred in south Wales, where Crai Resr received 157.6mm of rainfall in 48 hours.
The highest wind speeds of 91mph were recorded in Aberdaron on the Welsh coast.The highest wind speeds of 91mph were recorded in Aberdaron on the Welsh coast.
Dramatic footage has emerged of a landslide in Rhondda valley, south Wales.Dramatic footage has emerged of a landslide in Rhondda valley, south Wales.
Earlier, South Wales police declared a major incident in the area after flooding and landslides caused by Storm Dennis.Earlier, South Wales police declared a major incident in the area after flooding and landslides caused by Storm Dennis.
Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhondda, has set up a fundraiser for those affected by the flooding. The appeal reads:Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhondda, has set up a fundraiser for those affected by the flooding. The appeal reads:
There are high river levels and flooding across Derbyshire, with the Environment Agency warning people against driving through flood water, and to take care when walking near rivers.There are high river levels and flooding across Derbyshire, with the Environment Agency warning people against driving through flood water, and to take care when walking near rivers.
A major incident has been declared in Herefordshire as flooding in the area escalates.A major incident has been declared in Herefordshire as flooding in the area escalates.
Emergency response partners including Herefordshire council, West Mercia police, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue, the Environment Agency and health partners are working to support residents and protect the most vulnerable.Emergency response partners including Herefordshire council, West Mercia police, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue, the Environment Agency and health partners are working to support residents and protect the most vulnerable.
An evacuation centre has been set up at Holmer Leisure Centre on Holmer Road, Hereford.An evacuation centre has been set up at Holmer Leisure Centre on Holmer Road, Hereford.
There is a severe flood warning in place for the River Teme at Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonel.There is a severe flood warning in place for the River Teme at Little Hereford and Ashford Carbonel.
The Red Cross has urged people to prepare “should the worst happen”, as water levels are expected to peak in the coming days.The Red Cross has urged people to prepare “should the worst happen”, as water levels are expected to peak in the coming days.
Georgie Timmins, crisis response officer at British Red Cross, said:Georgie Timmins, crisis response officer at British Red Cross, said:
The Red Cross is working with local authorities around the country to support those affected by Storm Dennis. Timmins said:The Red Cross is working with local authorities around the country to support those affected by Storm Dennis. Timmins said:
South Wales police have declared a major incident over flooding and landslides caused by Storm Dennis, with an emergency response dealing with “serious disruption”.South Wales police have declared a major incident over flooding and landslides caused by Storm Dennis, with an emergency response dealing with “serious disruption”.
They said:They said:
People have been evacuated from their homes in Monmouthshire and Neath, and a Met Office amber warning for rain remains in place across most parts of Wales until 3pm.People have been evacuated from their homes in Monmouthshire and Neath, and a Met Office amber warning for rain remains in place across most parts of Wales until 3pm.
There are four severe flood warnings in place in England and Wales, meaning there is a threat to life in those areas.There are four severe flood warnings in place in England and Wales, meaning there is a threat to life in those areas.
This morning, the Met Office issued its first red rain warning since 2015.This morning, the Met Office issued its first red rain warning since 2015.
A building has partially collapsed on Canterbury Road in Herne Bay, Kent. There are no reports of casualties.A building has partially collapsed on Canterbury Road in Herne Bay, Kent. There are no reports of casualties.
The roof of the building partially gave way, leaving cars parked below buried under fallen bricks.The roof of the building partially gave way, leaving cars parked below buried under fallen bricks.
A number of train services have been suspended across the country due to disruption caused by Storm Dennis.A number of train services have been suspended across the country due to disruption caused by Storm Dennis.
In Wales, the following lines are closed due to flooding:In Wales, the following lines are closed due to flooding:
Ebbw Vale to Crosskeys.Ebbw Vale to Crosskeys.
Gobowen to Wrexham.Gobowen to Wrexham.
Conwy Valley Line.Conwy Valley Line.
The Cambrian line.The Cambrian line.
The Marches line.The Marches line.
Lydney to Gloucester.Lydney to Gloucester.
Shrewsbury to Wellington.Shrewsbury to Wellington.
Passengers travelling into and out of Devon and Cornwall have been told to travel only if necessary, as flooding has closed lines between Exeter St Davids and Taunton and Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple.Passengers travelling into and out of Devon and Cornwall have been told to travel only if necessary, as flooding has closed lines between Exeter St Davids and Taunton and Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple.
In the north, there will be no trains from Carlisle to Leeds, and no train or tram service at Rotherham Central today.In the north, there will be no trains from Carlisle to Leeds, and no train or tram service at Rotherham Central today.
The line between Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge in west Yorkshire has reopened after heavy flooding, but disruption is still expected.The line between Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge in west Yorkshire has reopened after heavy flooding, but disruption is still expected.
You can find details information about train disruption at National Rail Enquiries.You can find details information about train disruption at National Rail Enquiries.
It’s Jessica Murray here, taking over from Frances on the live blog as Storm Dennis continues to batter parts of the UK.It’s Jessica Murray here, taking over from Frances on the live blog as Storm Dennis continues to batter parts of the UK.
There are now more flood warnings and alerts in force in England than any other day on record, according to John Curtin, executive director of flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency.There are now more flood warnings and alerts in force in England than any other day on record, according to John Curtin, executive director of flood and coastal risk management at the Environment Agency.
There are a total of 594 warning and alerts, including two severe flood warnings which indicate a danger to life.There are a total of 594 warning and alerts, including two severe flood warnings which indicate a danger to life.
Feel free to send updates on the situation where you are - jessica.murray@theguardian.com or via Twitter (@journojess_).Feel free to send updates on the situation where you are - jessica.murray@theguardian.com or via Twitter (@journojess_).
Jeremy Parr, the head of flood and incident risk management for Natural Resources Wales, said in a statement:Jeremy Parr, the head of flood and incident risk management for Natural Resources Wales, said in a statement:
The Met Office has issued a new statement on the impact of Storm Dennis across the UK.The Met Office has issued a new statement on the impact of Storm Dennis across the UK.
The organisation’s chief meteorologist, Andy Page, said:The organisation’s chief meteorologist, Andy Page, said:
At Cray Reservoir, Powys, south Wales, 132.8mm of rain was recorded between 7am on Saturday 14 and 8am on Sunday 15. The average rainfall in Wales for the month of February is 110.8mm.At Cray Reservoir, Powys, south Wales, 132.8mm of rain was recorded between 7am on Saturday 14 and 8am on Sunday 15. The average rainfall in Wales for the month of February is 110.8mm.
Page continued:Page continued:
A search is under way for a woman who was seen going into the water at the beach in Brighton in the early hours of Sunday morning.A search is under way for a woman who was seen going into the water at the beach in Brighton in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A spokesman for Sussex police said:A spokesman for Sussex police said:
Emergency service crews rescued two people “in the nick of time” after their car was swept from the road and pinned to a metal gate by a torrent of flood water, reports PA Media.Emergency service crews rescued two people “in the nick of time” after their car was swept from the road and pinned to a metal gate by a torrent of flood water, reports PA Media.
Specialist fire crews waded into the fast-flowing water in the Scottish Borders to save the pair from the “extremely dangerous situation” after a river had burst its banks.Specialist fire crews waded into the fast-flowing water in the Scottish Borders to save the pair from the “extremely dangerous situation” after a river had burst its banks.
Photos of the rescue and its aftermath show the Volkswagen Golf in a field, perpendicular to the Newcastleton road. The two people were taken to hospital by paramedics, but have since been discharged and were able to return home.Photos of the rescue and its aftermath show the Volkswagen Golf in a field, perpendicular to the Newcastleton road. The two people were taken to hospital by paramedics, but have since been discharged and were able to return home.