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Flood-risk villagers continue with clean-up in mid Wales Wales floods: Rain warning threat to clean-up
(about 3 hours later)
The clean-up of homes and businesses hit by flood water continues after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks over the weekend. Flood-hit residents living in mid and north Wales have been warned more rain is due following the weekend storms.
Environment Agency Wales said it did not expect further flooding but heavy rain may disrupt the clean-up operation.
Parts of Ceredigion were flooded by 5ft (1.5m) of water with record high river levels in parts on Saturday.Parts of Ceredigion were flooded by 5ft (1.5m) of water with record high river levels in parts on Saturday.
In Pennal, Gwynedd, 600 people returned to their homes after an evacuation following a breach in a dam wall.In Pennal, Gwynedd, 600 people returned to their homes after an evacuation following a breach in a dam wall.
The Met Office confirmed that more than a month's worth of rain fell at Trawsgoed, near Aberystwyth, on Friday.The Met Office confirmed that more than a month's worth of rain fell at Trawsgoed, near Aberystwyth, on Friday.
Caravan parks and villages near Aberystwyth were inundated by floodwater when twice as much rain fell in 24 hours as normal for the whole of June.Caravan parks and villages near Aberystwyth were inundated by floodwater when twice as much rain fell in 24 hours as normal for the whole of June.
Environment Agency Wales continues to provide flood alert updates online. As the clean-up continued on Monday, Environment Agency Wales lifted three remaining flood alerts in force for mid and west Wales.
Three flood alerts remained in force in mid and west Wales on Monday. But in a statement, the agency advised people in Ceredigion and Gwynedd that a band of further rainfall was forecast for the area later on Monday which may be heavy in places.
The Met Office warned that areas affected included rivers in the upper and lower Teifi catchment and rivers in north Ceredigion, including the Clarach, Rheidol and Ystwyth. "At this moment in time, forecasts indicate that although rivers may rise, the rain is not likely to cause any further flooding to the area," it said.
Several roads remain closed on Monday, including the A487 Llandovey road from Derwenlas to Machynlleth; the B4353 Dovey Bridge to Ynyslas. "However, the rainfall may disrupt the clean-up operation which is currently under way following serious flooding in the area over the weekend."
The Ystwyth Surgery at Llanbadarn Fawr in Aberystwyth has been affected by flooding and has relocated to the former Countryside Council for Wales building on the IBERS site near Penrhyncoch.The Ystwyth Surgery at Llanbadarn Fawr in Aberystwyth has been affected by flooding and has relocated to the former Countryside Council for Wales building on the IBERS site near Penrhyncoch.
First Minister Carwyn Jones told the BBC there is very little that can be done about extreme weather conditions. Dr Khalid Bashir, head of emergency medicine at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, warned of the health risks posed by the flood water.
"We're spending £40m on flood defences and coastal erosion over the course of the next year," said Mr Jones. "There are numerous health risks particularly among vulnerable people, like children and the elderly," he said.
"The risks are in contaminated water than can lead to vomiting and abdominal pains, and conditions like eczema and asthma can get worse during this time."
Boosting defences
First Minister Carwyn Jones told the BBC there was very little that could be done about extreme weather conditions.
"We're spending £40m on flood defences and coastal erosion over the course of the next year," he said.
"The reality is you cannot prevent flooding at all times, especially when you get very, very unusual weather patterns such as we've seen over the few days in in this particular part of Wales."The reality is you cannot prevent flooding at all times, especially when you get very, very unusual weather patterns such as we've seen over the few days in in this particular part of Wales.
"Of course, the situation will have been examined. We'll talk to the Environment Agency to see what could be done to help boost the flood defences in the area in the future.""Of course, the situation will have been examined. We'll talk to the Environment Agency to see what could be done to help boost the flood defences in the area in the future."
Ellen ap Gwynn, the leader of Ceredigion council, announced that an appeal will be launched to help communities affected by the floods in northern Ceredigion.Ellen ap Gwynn, the leader of Ceredigion council, announced that an appeal will be launched to help communities affected by the floods in northern Ceredigion.
She said: "I've personally witnessed the devastation left by this weekend's flooding.She said: "I've personally witnessed the devastation left by this weekend's flooding.
"It's heartbreaking to see so many homes damaged by the flooding and to realise that many have lost prized personal possessions that cannot be replaced."It's heartbreaking to see so many homes damaged by the flooding and to realise that many have lost prized personal possessions that cannot be replaced.
"However, I hope that by launching an appeal we can assist those affected to get back on their feet as soon as possible.""However, I hope that by launching an appeal we can assist those affected to get back on their feet as soon as possible."
Ms ap Gwynn also paid tribute to those affected.
"It has also been heartwarming to witness such fantastic community spirit with neighbours going out of their way to assist."
Ron Bott, who runs a B&B and motorhome site said areas of Abergynolwyn, Bryncrug and Tywyn had also been badly hit by Friday evening's weather.
He said he had lived in his property, Riverside at Abergynolwyn, since 1962 and this is the first time his home has been flooded.
The water "went through the house and the fire service told us to leave the doors open to let it pass through".
"Luckily no-one was injured but the speed the water rose was incredible," he added.
Breach in damBreach in dam
On Sunday, police strongly urged the 600 villagers at Pennal to evacuate the area after a slight breach appeared in a dam at a disused quarry. On Sunday, police strongly urged the 600 villagers at Pennal, Gwynedd, to evacuate the area after a slight breach appeared in a dam at a disused quarry.
Some residents were transported to Machynlleth, just over the border in Powys, while others relocated themselves to a leisure resort above the village or made alternative plans.Some residents were transported to Machynlleth, just over the border in Powys, while others relocated themselves to a leisure resort above the village or made alternative plans.
A hole that would normally drain the water and release the pressure had been blocked by a landslide.A hole that would normally drain the water and release the pressure had been blocked by a landslide.
Emergency services, contractors and the landowner worked to create a permanent channel to slowly release of water.Emergency services, contractors and the landowner worked to create a permanent channel to slowly release of water.
By 19:30 BST on Sunday villagers were allowed to return to their homes.By 19:30 BST on Sunday villagers were allowed to return to their homes.
The emergency services said the operation, involving 6m gallons of water, had been successful.The emergency services said the operation, involving 6m gallons of water, had been successful.
Gwyn Jones, of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the pressure on the reservoir was "immense" and public safety was "paramount".
"We have managed to avert a very serious situation," he said.
Villager Shem ap Geraint said residents went to the leisure resort as they wanted to stay close by. He described the scene earlier in Pennal as "manic".
The reservoir is not man-made and was created by the build-up of water at a derelict quarry as waste slate formed a natural dam.
Are you in Wales? Have you been affected by the floods? Are you involved in the clean up? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you in Wales? Have you been affected by the floods? Are you involved in the clean up? Please get in touch using the form below.