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Wales floods: St Asaph clean-up meeting called Wales floods: St Asaph charity fund to help victims
(35 minutes later)
People are waiting to hear when they can return to their flood-hit homes in north Wales to start the clean-up and count the cost of the damage. A charity fund is being set up for flood victims in the small north Wales city of St Asaph, where a woman died and over 400 properties were affected.
More than 400 properties were flooded in St Asaph, Denbighshire, with others in Ruthin and in Conwy county. First Minister Carwyn Jones will visit Denbighshire later on Wednesday to meet families and volunteers, and to see the impact of the widespread disruption.
An elderly woman was found dead by rescuers searching homes hit by floodwater in St Asaph on Tuesday. Twenty Scottish Power teams are still trying to restore electricity after two sub-stations were shut on Tuesday.
Environment Agency Wales says the situation is improving although five flood warnings and 13 alerts remain. Homes were also flooded in Ruthin, Denbighshire, and in Conwy county.
Community groups are holding an emergency meeting on Wednesday. After one of the worst floods in north Wales for decades, an emergency meeting of community groups in St Asaph on Wednesday decided to launch the charity fund, which will be administered by the city council.
St Asaph mayor Councillor John Roberts said they wanted to co-ordinate their response and work out ways to help those who have been forced to evacuate their homes. Before the meeting, St Asaph mayor John Roberts said: "We've been inundated with offers of support and help."
"We've been inundated with offers of support and help," he said. Councillors must also decide whether to go ahead with the annual Christmas street party on Friday. It is due to be held in the upper part of St Asaph, which has not been hit by flooding.
Councillors must also decided whether to go ahead with the city's annual Christmas street party on Friday which is due to be held in the upper part of St Asaph which has not been hit by flooding. Agencies have also appealed for people who have left the area because of the flood to make contact.
Local councillor Denise Hodgkinson said some residents evacuated from homes in the tiny city which has a population of 3,400, spent the night at neighbours' houses which escaped the floods. They said anyone affected should contact the rest centre at Ysgol Clan Clwyd or call the Scottish Power helpline on 0845 272 2424 as access may be needed to their property.
And someone from Merseyside who owns a caravan at a local holiday park made it available to people looking for somewhere to spend the night. First Minister Carwyn Jones will have a private meeting with the emergency services who are leading the response.
"There are a lot of people who have taken people in," said Ms Hodgkinson. He will then travel to the rest centre, in St Aspah, to meet families affected by the flooding, and to thank volunteers supporting the communities. He will also look at some of the flood damage in the surrounding area.
In a joint statement, the agencies said their main focus remains the preservation of life and keeping the community safe.
'Improving picture''Improving picture'
The emergency services spent the night in St Asaph, Ruthin and Rhuddlan continuing to pump out flood-hit areas. Roads are gradually being reopened but people are being advised to check with Traffic Wales or local radio stations before travelling.
Environment Agency Wales says the situation is improving, although five flood warnings and 13 alerts remain.
The emergency services spent the night in St Asaph, Ruthin and Rhuddlan pumping out flood-hit areas.
Properties in Llanfair Talhaiarn, Llansannan and Eglwys Bach have also been flooded while Abergele and Llangernyw have also been threatened.Properties in Llanfair Talhaiarn, Llansannan and Eglwys Bach have also been flooded while Abergele and Llangernyw have also been threatened.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew with a volume pump to ensure the road serving Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, remains open.North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent a crew with a volume pump to ensure the road serving Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, remains open.
Graham Hillier, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager for Wales, said there was "an improving picture" although two severe flood warnings remained on the River Elwy, with three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts elsewhere. Volunteers and staff from the British Red Cross have returned to the city to help in the rescue effort
Currently, eight staff and volunteers are based at the rest centre in St Asaph, helping to co-ordinate the response as people begin to consider how to recover from the flooding crisis.
An additional team of Red Cross volunteers with two 4x4s are on site again to assist in whatever way they are needed.
Many residents who were placed in temporary accommodation overnight are returning to the centre today for hot showers or for information about how to cope with the flooding.
'Displaced people'
David Hallows, Red Cross service manager for emergency response in north Wales, said: "The local community are really pulling together and we have been amazed at the tremendous amount of support we are receiving.
"People are calling up to offer their help, blankets, and even rooms for displaced people.
Earlier, Graham Hillier, the Environment Agency's flood risk manager for Wales, said there was "an improving picture" although two severe flood warnings remained on the River Elwy, with three flood warnings and 13 flood alerts elsewhere.
He described the flooding as "a significant event", adding that three inches of rain fell in 24 hours in that area of north Wales - equivalent to half the monthly rainfall in one day.He described the flooding as "a significant event", adding that three inches of rain fell in 24 hours in that area of north Wales - equivalent to half the monthly rainfall in one day.
Mr Hillier also defended the agency's flood warning coverage, saying they are expanding the system but alerts were issued in all relevant areas.Mr Hillier also defended the agency's flood warning coverage, saying they are expanding the system but alerts were issued in all relevant areas.
Denbighshire council chief executive Mohammed Mehmet said work has started to plan for the recovery phase with a number of groups set up to co-ordinate action.
But some people on a new housing estate in Ruthin have asked why flood prevention schemes had not been put in place.But some people on a new housing estate in Ruthin have asked why flood prevention schemes had not been put in place.
The Glasdir estate was built three years ago and residents said they were given assurances the chance of flooding was rare.The Glasdir estate was built three years ago and residents said they were given assurances the chance of flooding was rare.
One, Phil Jones, said: "We have documentation saying that the chance of flooding actually occurring was one in a 1,000 years.
"Of course the more serious question is what happens in terms of not just next year but the next few months?"
Another resident Catrin Williams added: "The land has always been marshy so I don't know why they built a housing estate there.
"I have friends who live there and they have suffered damage to their house."
Keith Jones, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers in Wales, said that in general he would be "totally against" building on any flood plain.Keith Jones, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers in Wales, said that in general he would be "totally against" building on any flood plain.
He said: "The whole process needs to be looked into.
"The problem with flood plains is they are exactly as they say on the tin - they are areas where flooding is taking place.
"Sometimes these are traditional areas that flood - sometimes they are part of a designed scheme which will allow areas to flood - for example in Cardiff we have flood plains alongside the River Taff."
Mr Jones also questioned why planning decisions were being made "perhaps not taking account of expert decisions".
"The Welsh government in association with European funds are spending huge amounts of money to protect greater areas of Wales and that is good
"Each and every property owner has to take responsibility for their properties
"The first rule is to be responsible for your own property and you have to protect yourselves."
Meanwhile, several major and minor roads across the area have been closed with further information available via the Traffic Wales website.Meanwhile, several major and minor roads across the area have been closed with further information available via the Traffic Wales website.
Network Rail said full services are planned for the North Wales coast on Wednesday, while trains on Anglesey remain disrupted as water is pumped from the track at Gaerwen.Network Rail said full services are planned for the North Wales coast on Wednesday, while trains on Anglesey remain disrupted as water is pumped from the track at Gaerwen.
On the Llanwrst/Blaenau branch line several areas are flooded and a replacement bus service is operating instead. Full details of rail disruptions are available on the National Rail Enquiries website.On the Llanwrst/Blaenau branch line several areas are flooded and a replacement bus service is operating instead. Full details of rail disruptions are available on the National Rail Enquiries website.
Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been affected.Some schools in Conwy and Denbighshire have also been affected.
Do you live in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? Send us your experiences by filling out the form belowDo you live in the area? Have you been affected by the flooding? Send us your experiences by filling out 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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