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Wales floods: St Asaph charity fund to help victims Wales floods: St Asaph charity fund to help victims
(35 minutes later)
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. 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 deluged.
First Minister Carwyn Jones will visit Denbighshire later on Wednesday to meet families and volunteers, and to see the impact of the widespread disruption. First Minister Carwyn Jones is to meet families and volunteers and inspect the damage caused when the river Elwy burst its banks due to heavy rain.
Twenty Scottish Power teams are still trying to restore electricity after two sub-stations were shut on Tuesday.Twenty Scottish Power teams are still trying to restore electricity after two sub-stations were shut on Tuesday.
Homes were also flooded in Ruthin, Denbighshire, and in Conwy county.Homes were also flooded in Ruthin, Denbighshire, and in Conwy county.
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. 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.
Before the meeting, St Asaph mayor John Roberts said: "We've been inundated with offers of support and help."Before the meeting, St Asaph mayor John Roberts said: "We've been inundated with offers of support and help."
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.
Agencies have also appealed for people who have left the area because of the flood to make contact.Agencies have also appealed for people who have left the area because of the flood to make contact.
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.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.
First Minister Carwyn Jones will have a private meeting with the emergency services who are leading the response.First Minister Carwyn Jones will have a private meeting with the emergency services who are leading the response.
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. He will then travel to the rest centre, in St Asaph, 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.In a joint statement, the agencies said their main focus remains the preservation of life and keeping the community safe.
'Improving picture''Improving picture'
Roads are gradually being reopened but people are being advised to check with Traffic Wales or local radio stations before travelling.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. Environment Agency Wales says the situation is improving. Four flood warnings and eight flood alerts are now in place across the country.
The emergency services spent the night in St Asaph, Ruthin and Rhuddlan pumping out flood-hit areas.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.
Volunteers and staff from the British Red Cross have returned to the city to help in the rescue effort 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. Many residents who spent the night in temporary accommodation are returning to rest centre for showers and for information about coping with their situation.
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''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.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."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.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.
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.
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.
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.
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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