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Wales floods: Hundreds told to leave homes Wales floods: Hundreds told to leave homes
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of residents have been asked to leave their homes as widespread continues to affects north Wales.Hundreds of residents have been asked to leave their homes as widespread continues to affects north Wales.
A total of around 500 homes were hit by floodwaters when the river Elwy burst its banks, breaking through defences and turning streets in rivers.A total of around 500 homes were hit by floodwaters when the river Elwy burst its banks, breaking through defences and turning streets in rivers.
Police, fire-fighters, paramedics, road agencies and the RNLI have joined forces to respond to the emergency.Police, fire-fighters, paramedics, road agencies and the RNLI have joined forces to respond to the emergency.
Red Cross staff and volunteers helped to set up a rest centre at St Asaph Leisure Centre at midnight.Red Cross staff and volunteers helped to set up a rest centre at St Asaph Leisure Centre at midnight.
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. One 92-year-old man was saved by volunteers after he became trapped in his house as flood waters rose on Monday night.
Terry Hughes told how he rang the council in the early hours of the morning as flood water flowed just a foot from his back door. He said they agreed to supply sandbags but it was to be too late. Another resident Terry Hughes told how he rang the council in the early hours of the morning as flood water flowed just a foot from his back door. He said they agreed to supply sandbags but it was to be too late.
"In the end, it came up too quickly," he said. "We walked out the house arm in arm, the current was so strong."In the end, it came up too quickly," he said. "We walked out the house arm in arm, the current was so strong.
"It was funnelling between the houses, though the depth was only two foot, it was really swirling. It frightened you.""It was funnelling between the houses, though the depth was only two foot, it was really swirling. It frightened you."
RNLI volunteers, trained in swift water rescue, have been using a vessel similar to that used by the charity's lifeguards to ferry people from safely from their homes to dry ground.RNLI volunteers, trained in swift water rescue, have been using a vessel similar to that used by the charity's lifeguards to ferry people from safely from their homes to dry ground.
Dilys Percival described how she was rescued by canoe with her dog Meg.Dilys Percival described how she was rescued by canoe with her dog Meg.
"It came up far quicker than we thought it was going to," she told BBC Wales."It came up far quicker than we thought it was going to," she told BBC Wales.
"We've had flood warnings before and we just thought it would be fine."We've had flood warnings before and we just thought it would be fine.
"I said we'd be alright staying... my husband didn't think so. For once, he was right. The water was up to our knees as we left.""I said we'd be alright staying... my husband didn't think so. For once, he was right. The water was up to our knees as we left."
Other people living in the area have been urged to stay with friends and family until the risk subsides.Other people living in the area have been urged to stay with friends and family until the risk subsides.
Llanfair Talhaiarn, St Asaph and Ruthin are badly affected while houses in Abergele, Llangernyw and Llansanan are also threatened. The Environment Agency is urging the public to follow advice on their href="http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe/near-water/advice.aspx?lang=en" title="Environment Agency" >website if they are affected by flooding.
Ruthin, where up to 400 homes are under threat, is also badly affected and rest centres have been set up at the Memorial Hall and leisure centre.
Some properties in Llanfair Talhaiarn, Llansannan and Eglwys Bach have also been flooded whilst Abergele and Llangernyw are also threatened.
The rain is expected to subside with the weather turning colder over the next few days but there is still a risk of water flowing down from higher ground.The rain is expected to subside with the weather turning colder over the next few days but there is still a risk of water flowing down from higher ground.
Meanwhile, several major and minor roads across are closed and people are advised to drive only if their journey is essential.Meanwhile, several major and minor roads across are closed and people are advised to drive only if their journey is essential.
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. Apart from the main areas where properties have been flooded these include the A4086 Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis; A5 Corwen; and A548 Llanrwst to Abergele.
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.
Meanwhile in Ruthin, cars are underwater and homes have been flooded.
Ysgol Talhaiarn's head teacher Darren Booth-Taylor told BBC Radio Cymru that the fire service had advised people in the village to evacuate to the village hall as flooding worsened in the early hours.Ysgol Talhaiarn's head teacher Darren Booth-Taylor told BBC Radio Cymru that the fire service had advised people in the village to evacuate to the village hall as flooding worsened in the early hours.
Flooding has also been reported in Eglwysbach, Conwy.
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.
Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been closed (details at Conwy County Borough Council.)Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been closed (details at Conwy County Borough Council.)
Supt Peter Newton of North Wales Police, speaking on behalf of the combined emergency services operation, said: "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.Supt Peter Newton of North Wales Police, speaking on behalf of the combined emergency services operation, said: "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.
RSPCA inspectors say they have been drafted in to help helping livestock and pets.