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Wales weather: Preparations for 'significant storm' Wales weather: Preparations for 'significant storm'
(about 2 hours later)
People have been warned to be prepared for what the Met Office calls a "significant storm" set to batter Wales on Sunday.People have been warned to be prepared for what the Met Office calls a "significant storm" set to batter Wales on Sunday.
In Rhondda Cynon Taf extra council staff have been at work filling sandbags and clearing gullies. Met Office forecasts say hurricane force winds of 60 to 80mph could hit southern parts of the UK sweeping north and east overnight.
There is also concern that trees, still heavy with leaves, could come down, possibly affecting power supplies. Ferry services have been cancelled and councils have been filling sandbags and clearing gullies.
There is also concern that trees could come down affecting power supplies.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has urged its customers to let them know about any flooding in the sewer networks.Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has urged its customers to let them know about any flooding in the sewer networks.
According to Met Office forecasts hurricane force winds of more than 80mph could hit south west England later on Sunday sweeping north and east across England and Wales overnight into Monday.
The Met Office added it was not the kind of storm experienced in the UK every year and could be similar to those seen in March 2008, January 2007 and October 2000.
'Developing situation''Developing situation'
Steve Willington, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are talking about a storm which doesn't yet exist, so there remains some uncertainty about its possible timing, track and strength. Frank Saunders, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are confident that a severe storm will affect Britain on Sunday night and Monday.
"However, several forecasts models currently suggest we will see a significant storm with exceptionally strong winds impacting parts of England and Wales. "We are now looking at refining the details about which areas will see the strongest winds and the heaviest rain.
"This is a developing situation and we'd advise people to stay up to date with our forecasts and warnings over the weekend, and be prepared to change their plans if necessary."This is a developing situation and we'd advise people to stay up to date with our forecasts and warnings over the weekend, and be prepared to change their plans if necessary.
"We'll continue to work closely with authorities and emergency services to ensure they are aware of the expected conditions.""We'll continue to work closely with authorities and emergency services to ensure they are aware of the expected conditions."
The storm is also expected to bring heavy rain to some parts of the country, with driving conditions in particular likely to be affected.The storm is also expected to bring heavy rain to some parts of the country, with driving conditions in particular likely to be affected.
Irish Ferries have cancelled the fast ferry service between Holyhead and Dublin.Irish Ferries have cancelled the fast ferry service between Holyhead and Dublin.
The company's website notes: "Due to adverse weather conditions all Jonathan Swift fast craft sailings for Sunday 27 October have been cancelled but all passengers can be accommodated on the cruise ferry sailings."The company's website notes: "Due to adverse weather conditions all Jonathan Swift fast craft sailings for Sunday 27 October have been cancelled but all passengers can be accommodated on the cruise ferry sailings."
Rosslare to Pembroke passengers are asked to ring 08717 300 400 or check the Irish Ferries website.Rosslare to Pembroke passengers are asked to ring 08717 300 400 or check the Irish Ferries website.
There is currently a flood alert in place for the rivers Loughor and Amman and the surrounding catchment areas, and the latest details can be found on the Natural Resources Wales website.
SandbagsSandbags
Councillor Andrew Morgan, the cabinet member for frontline services with Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said everything possible was being done to prepare for the bad weather.Councillor Andrew Morgan, the cabinet member for frontline services with Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said everything possible was being done to prepare for the bad weather.
"Over the last day or so the guys have been filling lorries with sandbags to save time, and they have additional chainsaws as falling trees could be a risk," he told BBC Radio Wales."Over the last day or so the guys have been filling lorries with sandbags to save time, and they have additional chainsaws as falling trees could be a risk," he told BBC Radio Wales.
"There are also additional crews standing by to cover the call centre if we have a large volume of calls for assistance.""There are also additional crews standing by to cover the call centre if we have a large volume of calls for assistance."
Mr Morgan said crews worked all day on Saturday to remove fallen leaves to try and stop gulleys being blocked, which could lead to roads flooding.Mr Morgan said crews worked all day on Saturday to remove fallen leaves to try and stop gulleys being blocked, which could lead to roads flooding.
"But if you clear leaves this morning, they'll be back by this afternoon," he said."But if you clear leaves this morning, they'll be back by this afternoon," he said.
"Our advice to people beforehand is to check in case there's anything loose in their gardens which could be flown about and to check for blocked drains and culverts and to contact the local council as soon as possible and we'll try and get someone there to assist.""Our advice to people beforehand is to check in case there's anything loose in their gardens which could be flown about and to check for blocked drains and culverts and to contact the local council as soon as possible and we'll try and get someone there to assist."
Meanwhile Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is asking its customers to work with them to keep sewers flowing through wet weather.Meanwhile Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is asking its customers to work with them to keep sewers flowing through wet weather.
"With a lot of heavy rain forecast for Wales over the course of the weekend, our engineers will be on high alert to respond to any issues which may occur on our wastewater network," said director of waste water services Steve Wilson."With a lot of heavy rain forecast for Wales over the course of the weekend, our engineers will be on high alert to respond to any issues which may occur on our wastewater network," said director of waste water services Steve Wilson.
"The network gets placed under increased pressure during this type of weather therefore we would be grateful if customers could immediately notify us on issues they become aware of relating to it in their area."The network gets placed under increased pressure during this type of weather therefore we would be grateful if customers could immediately notify us on issues they become aware of relating to it in their area.
"We would ask customers to call our 24 hour operational helpline on 0800 085 3968 to report any issues.""We would ask customers to call our 24 hour operational helpline on 0800 085 3968 to report any issues."