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Storm Jorge flooding: 'Critical incident' declared after flooding Storm Jorge flooding: Strong winds set to follow flooding
(about 2 hours later)
Police declared a "critical incident" overnight in part of south Wales due to heavy rain brought by Storm Jorge. Strong winds are set to sweep across Wales over the weekend following heavy rain brought by Storm Jorge.
No evacuations were needed but the move allowed emergency services to be prepared in case of flooding around Cardiff and Pontypridd. Overnight, South Wales Police declared a "critical incident" in Pontypridd and Cardiff as river levels rose but no evacuations were needed.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service took 72 calls overnight in the 12 hours to 06:00 GMT but now expect water levels to drop. In Pontypridd, the River Taff came close to overflowing, while a village near Merthyr Tydfil has been cut off by a landslide.
Wales is braced for further wind and rain on Saturday. A 24-hour Met Office warning for winds of up to 70mph begins at 12:00 GMT.
South Wales Police said Ely Bridge on Cowbridge Road was closed for two hours overnight due to the high river. Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader leader Andrew Morgan said the authority took hundreds of calls overnight from residents about culverts overflowing and water flowing through Pontypridd streets.
Supt Andy Kingdom said: "There is still significant surface water and debris on the roads throughout the force area so we would advise people only to travel if absolutely necessary." He said the River Taff "was a very close call" when it reached its peak but has dropped nine inches this morning.
Jason Evans, from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, added: "Luckily the weather was on our side and we didn't need to evacuate properties in these areas." Meanwhile in Cardiff, South Wales Police closed Ely Bridge on Cowbridge Road for two hours due to the high river.
He said over the last few days some people have had to be rescued from their cars after attempting to drive through flood water. Supt Andy Kingdom said: "There is still significant surface water and debris on the roads throughout the force area so we would advise people only to travel if absolutely necessary."
A Met Office weather warning for rain expired at 06:00 GMT, but a wind warning has been issued from noon. Jason Evans, from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said there were 72 calls overnight but added: "Luckily the weather was on our side and we didn't need to evacuate properties in these areas."
There are 13 flood warnings in place, mostly around south east Wales and more than 40 flood alerts. Separately, a landslide has shut off access to the village of Pontsticill which Merthyr Tydfil council said it was working to clear.
A Met Office weather warning for rain expired at 06:00 GMT, but there will be brief respite with a wind warning on the way.
The number of flood warnings in place has dropped from 13 to eight in the space of two hours and there are about 40 flood alerts.
Treherbert, Rhondda Cynon Taff, was the wettest place in the UK on Friday with 56mm (2.2in) of rainfall.Treherbert, Rhondda Cynon Taff, was the wettest place in the UK on Friday with 56mm (2.2in) of rainfall.
The poor weather from Storm Jorge comes after flooding caused by storms Ciara and Dennis earlier in February.The poor weather from Storm Jorge comes after flooding caused by storms Ciara and Dennis earlier in February.
The wind warning, which covers most of the UK, is in place for 24 hours from 12:00 on Saturday until 12:00 on Sunday. On Friday, passengers faced travel problems as railway lines flooded in south Wales and the disruption is set to continue on Saturday.
On Friday, passengers faced travel problems as railway lines flooded in south Wales and it is set to continue on Saturday.
Transport for Wales (TFW) said lines remain closed between Bridgend and Cardiff, while a number of services have been affected on the Valley lines.Transport for Wales (TFW) said lines remain closed between Bridgend and Cardiff, while a number of services have been affected on the Valley lines.
Buses will replace services between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth and there will be fewer trains running between Abergavenny and Hereford.Buses will replace services between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth and there will be fewer trains running between Abergavenny and Hereford.
But Bethan Jelfs from TFW said sourcing buses for other routes was proving difficult.But Bethan Jelfs from TFW said sourcing buses for other routes was proving difficult.
She added: "Operators are finding it difficult to run their buses. We are trying our hardest but with road conditions we are really struggling to find any replacement transport."She added: "Operators are finding it difficult to run their buses. We are trying our hardest but with road conditions we are really struggling to find any replacement transport."
In north Wales, Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog remains closed following damaged caused by Storm Ciara. Passengers have been advised to check their journey before travelling.
People have been warned about further flooding, with multiple alerts and warnings in place on Friday night. In a joint statement with Chris Pearce, Network Rail's Head of Operations for Wales and the Borders, she added: "From Saturday afternoon we're expecting very stormy conditions and high winds that have the potential to uproot trees and damage infrastructure, so there will be speed restrictions on certain lines on our network."
Jeremy Parr, head of flood incident risk management for Natural Resources Wales, said: "Coming so soon after Storm Dennis, we are particularly concerned that the forecast is for significant levels of rain in south Wales. In north Wales, Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog remains closed following damage caused by Storm Ciara.
"Everyone should take the warnings extremely seriously." Some ferry services from west Wales to Rosslare have also been cancelled ahead of the winds moving in.
Jeremy Parr, head of flood incident risk management for Natural Resources Wales, said: "Everyone should take the warnings extremely seriously."
He said people should take extreme caution and never drive or walk through flood waters.He said people should take extreme caution and never drive or walk through flood waters.
Unprecedented flooding following storms Ciara and Dennis led to communities across Wales being evacuated, with many still calculating the cost of damage to homes and businesses.Unprecedented flooding following storms Ciara and Dennis led to communities across Wales being evacuated, with many still calculating the cost of damage to homes and businesses.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the cost of the flood damage in Wales could reach at least £180m.First Minister Mark Drakeford has said the cost of the flood damage in Wales could reach at least £180m.