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Wales weather: Preparations for 'major Atlantic storm' Both Severn bridges to close as 'major Atlantic storm' expected
(about 5 hours later)
People have been warned to be prepared for what forecasters call a "major Atlantic storm" set to batter Wales on Sunday into Monday. There are warnings of travel disruption with both bridges out of south Wales to close ahead of what forecasts describe as a 'major Atlantic storm'.
Met Office forecasts say winds gusting up to 80mph will affect some areas of southern England and Wales, although the storm will pass quickly. The Met Office warns of winds gusting up to 80mph in some areas of southern England and Wales, although the storm will pass quickly.
Natural Resources Wales warns of possible localised flooding. The M48 suspension bridge was closed to traffic from 19:00 Sunday. The second Severn will shut from 03:00 Monday.
Ferry services have been cancelled and councils have been filling sandbags and clearing gullies. Trains are expected to be disrupted as well as warnings of possible flooding.
There is also concern that trees could come down affecting power supplies. The closures of both bridges - expected for several hours - were announced as very high winds and heavy rain were forecast to peak at around 04:00 on Monday.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has urged its customers to let them know about any flooding in the sewer networks. A statement by Gwent Police said: "The decision taken by the Highways Agency in England, Traffic Wales, Gwent Police and Avon and Somerset Police will be kept under review so that the M4 crossing is reopened as soon as the wind drops and it is safe to do so.
"While the crossings are closed the diversion will by via the A449, A40, M50 and M5.
"Those travelling from west Wales can use the A465 to join the diversionary route. A previously planned overnight closure of the M50 for road works has been cancelled to allow for the diversion.
"The joint decision has been taken to protect the safety of people who would be using the crossings.
"There is a strong possibility this will impact on the early Monday rush hour, so people are being urged to plan ahead."
Meanwhile, Network Rail has imposed speed restrictions on a number of train routes which will mean trains from south Wales to London Paddington are likely to be delayed by up to an hour.
First Great Western said a number of other services could also be affected by the weather.
Arriva Trains Wales also warn of possible delays and are urging passengers to log on to its Journey Check website before travelling.
Cardiff Airport said flights may be disrupted and advised passengers to check their flight status with airlines before travelling.
Earlier on Sunday there was concern that trees could come down affecting power supplies.
And Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has urged its customers to let them know about any flooding in the sewer networks.
'Developing situation''Developing situation'
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.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.
"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 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.
"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 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."
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."
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.
The Natural Resources Wales (NRW) website listed three flood alerts as of 17:30 GMT Sunday evening for the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows; Upper Dee Valley from Llanuwchllyn to Llangollen including Corwen; and the Vyrnwy Catchment. Meanwhile, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) website listed three flood alerts as of 17:30 GMT Sunday evening for the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows; Upper Dee Valley from Llanuwchllyn to Llangollen including Corwen; and the Vyrnwy Catchment.
Earlier flood warnings - more series than alerts - on the Afon Vyrnwy, Afon Tanat and Afon Cain and their tributaries had been lifted. Earlier flood warnings - more serious than alerts - on the Afon Vyrnwy, Afon Tanat and Afon Cain and their tributaries had been lifted.
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
Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor Andrew Morgan, the cabinet member for frontline services, said everything possible was being done to prepare for the bad weather. Many local authorities have been preparing for 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. Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor Andrew Morgan - cabinet member for frontline services - said sandbags were being filled and preparations were being made for fallen trees.
"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 gullies 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. "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," he added.
"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."
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. "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," 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.
"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."