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Wales weather: Gales, heavy rain and floods warning Wales flooding: Rescue at flooded caravan parks
(about 14 hours later)
Large parts of Wales have been hit by fierce summer storms, with heavy rain and 60mph gales. A major rescue is under way at caravan parks in mid Wales after severe flooding.
The south and west bore the brunt of the gales, especially on the coast and on high ground, and Environment Agency Wales (EAW) warned of flooding. Three people have been rescued by helicopter and police estimate 40 people have been taken to safety.
The weather forced the cancellation of a major agricultural event, Saturday's Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show. People are still trapped and numerous caravans are surrounded by flood water at the Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, near Aberystwyth.
Another 11 people are awaiting rescue from the nearby Mill House Caravan Park at Dol-y-Bont, also in Llandre.
Residents in 25 properties have also been evacuated in Talybont, a nearby village hit by severe flooding.
Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters, inshore lifeboats and fire service rescue boats are at the Riverside.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "There is large amount of water and a heavy current running through the caravan park."
The situation became so severe that a helicopter was used to rescue the crew of an inshore lifeboat, who had to be winched to safety.
High tide
Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector Robin Mason said the numbers of those rescued will "probably run into the hundreds."
He said rescue teams are taking people trapped in their homes to safety with the elderly and those living in bungalows taking priority.
An emergency rest centre has been set up for people and roads are closed in the area.
Aberystwyth, north Aberystwyth towards Machynlleth is worse affected, he said.
He said high tide was due later this morning.
Jason Hughes from Dolybont said: "The water is above my waistline at 6ft 3in."
Penri James from Talybont said: "It is quite serious, there is only a single narrow track coming up from Riverside caravan park.
"It's a blind hidden valley and difficult to get access to.
"I'm quite concerned for the people there. When the river comes out there, it comes out with a vengeance."
Fierce summer storms have hit large parts of Wales, with 60mph gales and heavy rain hitting the south and west.
Weather conditions
The weather has forced the cancellation of a major agricultural event, Saturday's Aberystwyth and Ceredigion County Show.
High winds also forced the postponement of Friday's races in the Canoe Slalom World Cup in Cardiff Bay.High winds also forced the postponement of Friday's races in the Canoe Slalom World Cup in Cardiff Bay.
Organisers of the Aberystwyth show announced on Facebook on Friday afternoon: "Unfortunately we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the show due to the weather". Organisers of the Aberystwyth show announced on Facebook on Friday afternoon: "Unfortunately we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel the show due to the weather."
In the pre-Olympic canoe event, competitors from 38 countries are due to take part at Cardiff's white water centre.In the pre-Olympic canoe event, competitors from 38 countries are due to take part at Cardiff's white water centre.
Organisers say the opening races will now be added to the weekend schedule and tickets for Friday will be valid for Saturday.Organisers say the opening races will now be added to the weekend schedule and tickets for Friday will be valid for Saturday.
By Friday evening, Environment Agency Wales had issued nine flood alerts across Wales, and one flood warning for the River Rheidol in Aberystwyth.By Friday evening, Environment Agency Wales had issued nine flood alerts across Wales, and one flood warning for the River Rheidol in Aberystwyth.
The alerts cover:The alerts cover:
  • Areas around the River Glaslyn and River Dwyryd, from Dyffryn Ardudwy to Nant Gwynant
  • Rivers in mid Ceredigion including the Aeron but excluding the Teifi
  • Rivers in the lower Towy catchment downstream of Llandeilo excluding Llandeilo
  • Rivers in the lower Teifi catchment downstream of Llanybydder
  • Areas around the river Mawddach and river Wnion, from Fairbourne to Ganllwyd and Rhydymain
  • Areas around the River Dyfi, from Dinas Mawddwy and Llanbrynmair to the estuary, including Machynlleth
  • River Wye in Powys
  • River Severn and its tributaries
  • Areas around the River Dysynni from Tywyn to Minffordd
  • Areas around the River Glaslyn and River Dwyryd, from Dyffryn Ardudwy to Nant Gwynant
  • Rivers in mid Ceredigion including the Aeron but excluding the Teifi
  • Rivers in the lower Towy catchment downstream of Llandeilo excluding Llandeilo
  • Rivers in the lower Teifi catchment downstream of Llanybydder
  • Areas around the river Mawddach and river Wnion, from Fairbourne to Ganllwyd and Rhydymain
  • Areas around the River Dyfi, from Dinas Mawddwy and Llanbrynmair to the estuary, including Machynlleth
  • River Wye in Powys
  • River Severn and its tributaries
  • Areas around the River Dysynni from Tywyn to Minffordd
Earlier alerts for rivers in the Llynfi and Ogmore catchment areas, the upper Teifi upstream of Llanybydder, the Rhondda rivers and areas along the north west Wales coastline from Dinas Dinlle to Barmouth were withdrawn on Friday afternoon.Earlier alerts for rivers in the Llynfi and Ogmore catchment areas, the upper Teifi upstream of Llanybydder, the Rhondda rivers and areas along the north west Wales coastline from Dinas Dinlle to Barmouth were withdrawn on Friday afternoon.
Alun Williams, from Environment Agency Wales, said continuing rain throughout Friday could still pose possible coastal and surface water risks.
"The main risk at the moment of flooding seems to be surface water flooding on roads. Drivers should take care under these conditions."
He also urged the public not to risk watching the storm surges on the coastline.
"I think that one of the risks we do have is that this kind of event is very much a spectator event," said Mr Williams.
"Unfortunately we have had fatalities as a result of that. People don't appreciate the kind of risk and the strength of waves, and can be quite easily swept off their feet."
Surface waterSurface water
About 50 - 100mm of rain (2 - 4in) is possible on high ground in the south and west and parts of mid Wales by the end of Friday.About 50 - 100mm of rain (2 - 4in) is possible on high ground in the south and west and parts of mid Wales by the end of Friday.
Council officers in Pembrokeshire say they are dealing with a series of tree-fall incidents, some which have blocked roads. Council officers in Pembrokeshire said they were dealing with a series of tree-fall incidents, some which have blocked roads.
The conditions also brought some trees down in the Llansamlet area of Swansea, while surface water partially blocked Queensway in Newport earlier on Friday morning.The conditions also brought some trees down in the Llansamlet area of Swansea, while surface water partially blocked Queensway in Newport earlier on Friday morning.
Electricity engineers were also called out to Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan when power lines came down, cutting power and affecting traffic lights.Electricity engineers were also called out to Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan when power lines came down, cutting power and affecting traffic lights.
Cardiff has also seen trees brought down by the gale force winds, including at Newport Road in the city.Cardiff has also seen trees brought down by the gale force winds, including at Newport Road in the city.
British Waterways says the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was blocked in four places by fallen trees.British Waterways says the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was blocked in four places by fallen trees.
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said: "This is very unusual for this time of year". BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said: "Over the weekend, the weather will improve, turning drier and brighter with some sunshine and lighter winds. Perhaps a few showers on Sunday."
"Wales is in the firing line for some stormy weather in the next 24 to 36 hours with a deep area of low pressure moving across the UK bringing heavy rain and strong to severe gale force winds," he said.
"Over the weekend, the weather will improve, turning drier and brighter with some sunshine and lighter winds. Perhaps a few showers on Sunday."
The Met Office issued two yellow alerts for severe weather affecting Wales. The first for rain covers the whole of Wales, while the second warning of high winds affects south-east and south-west Wales, extending towards Aberystwyth in Ceredigion.The Met Office issued two yellow alerts for severe weather affecting Wales. The first for rain covers the whole of Wales, while the second warning of high winds affects south-east and south-west Wales, extending towards Aberystwyth in Ceredigion.
However, much of northern Powys, north-west and north-east Wales currently remain unaffected by the wind warning, though it will remain wet and blustery.However, much of northern Powys, north-west and north-east Wales currently remain unaffected by the wind warning, though it will remain wet and blustery.
The changeable and unsettled weather looks set to continue for at least the next 10 days with a mixture of sunshine, showers and longer spells of rain at times.The changeable and unsettled weather looks set to continue for at least the next 10 days with a mixture of sunshine, showers and longer spells of rain at times.
Are you affected by the weather in Wales? Use the form below to send us your comments and pictures. Are you at the Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, near Aberystwyth? Are you affected by the flooding in Wales? If you are willing to be interviewed by the BBC please fill in the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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