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Wales flooding: Major rescue continuing near Aberystwyth Wales flooding: Major rescue continuing near Aberystwyth
(39 minutes later)
A major rescue is continuing in mid Wales after severe flooding with around 150 people taken to safety. A major rescue is continuing in mid Wales with around 150 people taken to safety after severe flooding.
Villages in Ceredigion have been cut off with houses and caravan parks being flooded. Emergency services have helped people get to safety with some being rescued by helicopter.Villages in Ceredigion have been cut off with houses and caravan parks being flooded. Emergency services have helped people get to safety with some being rescued by helicopter.
Three people have received treatment after sustaining minor injuries.Three people have received treatment after sustaining minor injuries.
The high tide has now peaked and river levels should now recede although the situation is still being monitored. The high tide has now peaked and river levels should now recede. A clean up has started in some affected areas.
Roads around the area have also been flooded hampering rescue efforts. The Environment Agency said "up to five inches" (12cm) of rain fell in the area in 24 hours and they remain concerned about the river Rheidol which is still rising, and the River Fathew in Bryncrug.
People remain trapped on the upper floors of homes affected by flooding. Roads around the area were also closed due to flooding.
Meanwhile, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has praised the emergency services for acting "quickly and with courage". Around 100 firefighters have been involved in the rescue efforts as well as RNLI teams and other emergency services.
Around 100 firefighters are involved in the rescue efforts as well as RNLI teams and other emergency services.
Andy Francis from Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: "The tide has peaked and the weather seems to be lightening.Andy Francis from Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: "The tide has peaked and the weather seems to be lightening.
Roads affected by flood waters
"The worst should be over."The worst should be over.
"But we will be monitoring the situation.""But we will be monitoring the situation."
Roads affected by flood waters
RNLI flood response manager Robin Goodlad said: "The rescue team here today have come from all four corners of Wales.
"They have plenty of experience at dropping things at a moment's notice to go out on rescues, but the scale and speed at which it has come together has been fantastic."
Emergency services have been prioritising getting the elderly and those who live in bungalows to safety.Emergency services have been prioritising getting the elderly and those who live in bungalows to safety.
The worse affected areas are Talybont, Dol-y-bont, Llandre, and Penrhyncoch - all in Ceredigion - with people moving to safety from the early hours of Saturday morning. The worse affected areas were Talybont, Dol-y-bont, Llandre, and Penrhyncoch - all in Ceredigion - with people moving to safety from the early hours of Saturday morning.
Machynlleth in Powys has also been flooded. Machynlleth in Powys was also flooded.
The RNLI's flood rescue teams have helped people to safety at Aberyswyth Holiday Village. The RNLI's flood rescue teams helped people to safety at Aberyswyth Holiday Village.
The Aberystwyth lifeboat has also been launched into the harbour to act as "goalkeepers" in case anyone gets washed down the river.
Rescues have happened at Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, near Aberystwyth, Mill House Caravan Park at Dol-y-bont, also in Llandre and Sea Rivers caravan park, Ynyslas.Rescues have happened at Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, near Aberystwyth, Mill House Caravan Park at Dol-y-bont, also in Llandre and Sea Rivers caravan park, Ynyslas.
Residents in 25 properties have also been evacuated in Talybont, a nearby village hit by severe flooding.Residents in 25 properties have also been evacuated in Talybont, a nearby village hit by severe flooding.
Ten houses have been flooded in the town of Penrhyncoch. One person has been rescued and an ambulance was deployed to another.Ten houses have been flooded in the town of Penrhyncoch. One person has been rescued and an ambulance was deployed to another.
At one point, a helicopter winched to safety several members of a lifeboat crew.At one point, a helicopter winched to safety several members of a lifeboat crew.
The floodwater was said to be up to 1.5m (5ft) deep in some places.The floodwater was said to be up to 1.5m (5ft) deep in some places.
RAF Sea King helicopters, inshore lifeboats and fire service rescue boats have also been involved.RAF Sea King helicopters, inshore lifeboats and fire service rescue boats have also been involved.
During the rescue mission, the RNLI's Borth inshore lifeboat and specialist flood rescue team was deployed to help holidaymakers trapped in a flooded caravan site on the side of the River Lery near Borth.During the rescue mission, the RNLI's Borth inshore lifeboat and specialist flood rescue team was deployed to help holidaymakers trapped in a flooded caravan site on the side of the River Lery near Borth.
The situation became so severe that a helicopter was used to rescue the inshore lifeboat crews, who were winched to safety.The situation became so severe that a helicopter was used to rescue the inshore lifeboat crews, who were winched to safety.
Speaking earlier, Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector Robyn Mason said the numbers of those rescued will "probably run into the hundreds".Speaking earlier, Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector Robyn Mason said the numbers of those rescued will "probably run into the hundreds".
"There are two or three caravan parks, I'm aware of about 30 to 40 people evacuated from various places, there are probably more," he said. Emergency rest centres were set up for people.
"When caravan parks have about two foot of water, people have been able to make their own way in an orderly manner. Since dawn, a lot of people have decided to leave by their own accord.
"We have emergency rescue teams in the area with inflatables, and we are in the process of evacuating people."
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.
Residents devastated by floodingResidents devastated by flooding
Pat Edwards, 56, whose partner runs Mill House Caravan Park, said they had not seen flooding like it in 50 years.Pat Edwards, 56, whose partner runs Mill House Caravan Park, said they had not seen flooding like it in 50 years.
Stephen South who runs the Riverside caravan park said: "It's just like a sea now. There's hardly anything left."Stephen South who runs the Riverside caravan park said: "It's just like a sea now. There's hardly anything left."
Jason Hughes from Dol-y-bont said: "It's stopped raining now but we are still very much flooded. It's just slightly gone down a little bit but not much at all."Jason Hughes from Dol-y-bont said: "It's stopped raining now but we are still very much flooded. It's just slightly gone down a little bit but not much at all."
Sam Ebenezer, from Talybont, added: "Everyone is just devastated and amazed with the amount of water that's flowing through the river.Sam Ebenezer, from Talybont, added: "Everyone is just devastated and amazed with the amount of water that's flowing through the river.
"I've never seen the river as high as it has been. It came as a shock to everybody.""I've never seen the river as high as it has been. It came as a shock to everybody."
The Environment Agency Wales (EAW) said this was an "unprecedented event".The Environment Agency Wales (EAW) said this was an "unprecedented event".
It issued a number of flood alerts and warnings with updates via its website.It issued a number of flood alerts and warnings with updates via its website.
Officials have warned people not to go near swollen rivers.Officials have warned people not to go near swollen rivers.
Fierce summer storms have hit large parts of Wales, with 60mph gales and heavy rain hitting the south and west. Meanwhile, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan has praised the emergency services for acting "quickly and with courage".
And a Welsh Government spokeswoman said: "The first minister (Carwyn Jones) is very concerned about the flooding in mid and west Wales. He has been receiving updates throughout the day on the situation. The first minister's thanks go to all those involved in the rescue operation."
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.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.
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