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Wales floods: Hundreds told to leave homes Wales floods: Hundreds told to leave homes
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of residents have been asked to leave their homes as widespread flooding affects north Wales.Hundreds of residents have been asked to leave their homes as widespread flooding affects north Wales.
Properties in Llanfair Talhaiarn, St Asaph and Ruthin are under water. Houses at Abergele, Llangernyw and Llansanan are threatened, and the fire service is working at "full capacity". A total of around 500 homes were hit by floodwaters when the river Elwy burst its banks turning streets in rivers.
Several roads are closed and rail services are disrupted. Llanfair Talhaiarn, St Asaph and Ruthin are badly affected while houses in Abergele, Llangernyw and Llansanan are also threatened.
Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been closed due to the flooding. The fire service is working at "full capacity", roads are closed and train travel disrupted.
Details of closures can be found on the Conwy County Borough Council website. Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been closed (details at Conwy County Borough Council.)
In Denbighshire a spokesperson said Ysgol Llannefydd primary and Glan Clwyd secondary schools are closed, with updates being posted on href="http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/" title="Denbighshire County Council" >Denbighshire council's website and Facebook page. North Wales Police working with north Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and the RNLI are responding to the emergency.
A rest centre has been opened at St Asaph Leisure Centre where staff are working with the British Red Cross. Red Cross staff and volunteers helped to set up a rest centre at St Asaph Leisure Centre at midnight.
Denbighshire council said that so far around 90 people had made their way to the centre. One 92-year-old man was saved by volunteers after he became trapped in his house as flood waters rose in St Asaph on Monday night.
BBC Wales reporter Chris Dearden is on the Roe Park estate in St Asaph where he said water has already entered some homes and residents are trying to salvage possessions. Other people living in the area have been urged to stay with friends and family until the risk subsided.
He said one resident told him he had moved his car at 05:00 GMT "just in case" and by 06:30 GMT the street was under two feet of water. Several major and minor roads across north Wales are closed due to flooding and people are advised to drive only if the journey is essential.
Several roads are closed due to flooding. Apart from the main areas where properties have been flooded these include the A4086 Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis; A5 Corwen; A5 Bethesda (between Braichmelyn and Capel Curig); and A548 Llanrwst to Abergele.
These include the A4086 Pen-y-Pass near Llanberis in both directions; A5 Betws y Coed at Waterloo Bridge; A5 in both directions at Corwen, and Green Lane: A525 in both directions at St Asaph; B5381 Lower Denbigh Road, St Asaph and Craig Road, Denbigh.
The slip road on the A55 at St Asaph is closed westbound.The slip road on the A55 at St Asaph is closed westbound.
A landslip has also closed the A543 on the outskirts of Denbigh.A landslip has also closed the A543 on the outskirts of Denbigh.
Other roads are passable with care and motorists are asked to heed warnings.Other roads are passable with care and motorists are asked to heed warnings.
In Ruthin, BBC Wales reporter Matthew Richards says some cars are underwater and homes have been flooded. Meanwhile in Ruthin cars are underwater and homes have been flooded.
BBC journalist Dafydd Evans has failed to get into Llanfair Talhaiarn because of the flooding.
He said only tractors, lorries and 4x4 vehicles were able to get into the village and one farmer had told him it had not been this bad since 1976.He said only tractors, lorries and 4x4 vehicles were able to get into the village and one farmer had told him it had not been this bad since 1976.
Ysgol Talhaiarn's head teacher Darren Booth-Taylor told BBC Radio Cymru that the fire service were advising people in the village to evacuate to the village hall due to flooding at 03:00 GMT.Ysgol Talhaiarn's head teacher Darren Booth-Taylor told BBC Radio Cymru that the fire service were advising people in the village to evacuate to the village hall due to flooding at 03:00 GMT.
BBC Wales reporter Rob Thomas says there is flooding in Eglwysbach, Conwy.BBC Wales reporter Rob Thomas says there is flooding in Eglwysbach, Conwy.
'Protect and preserve life''Protect and preserve life'
One farmhouse has been flooded out and there is damage to properties in the middle of the village.One farmhouse has been flooded out and there is damage to properties in the middle of the village.
Train services are suspended between Holyhead and Bangor due to flooded tracks at Gaerwen on Anglesey.Train services are suspended between Holyhead and Bangor due to flooded tracks at Gaerwen on Anglesey.
No trains will run either between Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice.No trains will run either between Llanrwst and Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice.
Speed limits have been placed on other rail services due to flooding with the next inspection due at 10:00 GMT.Speed limits have been placed on other rail services due to flooding with the next inspection due at 10:00 GMT.
Supt Peter Newton of North Wales Police issued a statement on behalf of the force, fire and ambulance services, as well as the RNLI and North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency.Supt Peter Newton of North Wales Police issued a statement on behalf of the force, fire and ambulance services, as well as the RNLI and North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency.
He said: "We invoked an emergency response to the severe weather to ensure priority is given to any person at risk .He said: "We invoked an emergency response to the severe weather to ensure priority is given to any person at risk .
"Our priority is to protect and preserve life and we are working closely with our multi agency partners to ensure the public are not at risk."Our priority is to protect and preserve life and we are working closely with our multi agency partners to ensure the public are not at risk.
"North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is working to their full capacity."North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is working to their full capacity.
"Since 6pm last night they have received over 130 calls and have appliances and rescue equipment out throughout the region responding to emergency calls."Since 6pm last night they have received over 130 calls and have appliances and rescue equipment out throughout the region responding to emergency calls.
"On their behalf, and in order they may prioritise calls, I would ask the community to only call the fire and rescue service if you believe lives are at risk and not just to properties being flooded when the householders are able to move upstairs or seek shelter in neighbours.""On their behalf, and in order they may prioritise calls, I would ask the community to only call the fire and rescue service if you believe lives are at risk and not just to properties being flooded when the householders are able to move upstairs or seek shelter in neighbours."
The Environment Agency has issued a flooding warning for Bangor on Dee bringing the total number of flood warnings in Wales to seven.The Environment Agency has issued a flooding warning for Bangor on Dee bringing the total number of flood warnings in Wales to seven.
There are also 23 flood alerts in place.There are also 23 flood alerts in place.
BBC Wales weather presenter Sue Charles said: "The rain is easing, but river levels are rising.BBC Wales weather presenter Sue Charles said: "The rain is easing, but river levels are rising.
"With 50mm (2ins) of rain falling near Capel Curig over the last 24 hours, and even more higher up in Snowdonia, there's still a lot of rain yet to flow into local rivers.""With 50mm (2ins) of rain falling near Capel Curig over the last 24 hours, and even more higher up in Snowdonia, there's still a lot of rain yet to flow into local rivers."