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Wales weather: Preparations for 'significant storm' Wales weather: Preparations for 'major Atlantic storm'
(about 2 hours later)
People have been warned to be prepared for what forecasters call a "significant storm" set to batter Wales on Sunday. People have been warned to be prepared for what forecasters call a "major Atlantic storm" set to batter Wales on Sunday into Monday.
Met Office forecasts say hurricane force winds of 60 to 80mph could hit southern parts of the UK sweeping north and east overnight. Met Office forecasts say winds gusting up to 80mph will affect some areas of southern England and Wales, although the storm will pass quickly.
Natural Resources Wales warns of possible localised flooding.Natural Resources Wales warns of possible localised flooding.
Ferry services have been cancelled and councils have been filling sandbags and clearing gullies.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.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.
'Developing situation''Developing situation'
Frank Saunders, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are confident that a severe storm will affect Britain on Sunday night and Monday. Martin Young, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "While this is a major storm for the UK, we don't currently expect winds to be as strong as those seen in the 'Great Storm' of 1987 or the 'Burns Day storm' of 1990.
"We are now looking at refining the details about which areas will see the strongest winds and the heaviest rain. "This weather system is typical of what we expect to see in winter but as it's coming in during autumn - when trees are in leaf - and while the ground is fairly saturated, it does pose some risks.
"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 could see some uprooted trees or other damage from the winds and there's a chance of some surface water flooding from the rainfall - all of which could lead to some disruption."
"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 (NRW) 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 (NRW) website.
A NRW spokesman said: "Whilst all of Wales can expect heavy rainfall, the worst affected areas are likely to be Powys, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.A NRW spokesman said: "Whilst all of Wales can expect heavy rainfall, the worst affected areas are likely to be Powys, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham.
"The strong winds expected late Sunday and during the early hours of Monday morning could cause large waves along the Pembrokeshire and south Wales coasts."The strong winds expected late Sunday and during the early hours of Monday morning could cause large waves along the Pembrokeshire and south Wales coasts.
"Officers have been monitoring river levels closely and checking flood defences over the weekend and will continue to keep a close eye on the situation.""Officers have been monitoring river levels closely and checking flood defences over the weekend and will continue to keep a close eye on the situation."
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."