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RNLI help evacuate homes as gales hit north Wales Hundreds remain at flooding risk in north Wales says British Red Cross
(35 minutes later)
Lifeboats have evacuated dozens of homes and offices in Rhyl after several hundred properties flooded during high tides and gale force winds. Hundreds of people are thought to remain at risk after high tides and gale force winds battered north Wales.
The storm hit the north Wales coast causing major disruption with roads closed, schools shut and trains stopped. Several hundred properties have been evacuated but emergency response charity British Red Cross said at least 500 people could be at need of help.
Two severe warnings - suggesting there is a danger to life - had been issued for the area earlier on Thursday. It has set up a centre in Rhyl for people who have been evacuated and it will remain open overnight.
The next high tide is expected to hit just after midnight. Nine flood warning remain in place.
The storm hit the coastline about lunchtime causing major disruption with roads closed, schools shut and trains stopped.
Two severe warnings - suggesting there was a danger to life - had been issued for the area earlier on Thursday.
Scaffolding around a supermarket collapsed onto several cars in Mold.Scaffolding around a supermarket collapsed onto several cars in Mold.
In Rhyl, one of the worst affected areas, a rest centre was set up at the leisure centre for residents and schoolchildren forced to leave buildings the tidal surge. In Rhyl, one of the worst affected areas, a rest centre has been set up at the leisure centre for residents and schoolchildren forced to leave buildings because of the tidal surge.
At least 25 residents and six dogs were rescued. At least 25 residents and six dogs were rescued and two inshore lifeboats manned by RNLI crews and assisted by the fire service ferried people to safety from flooded bungalows in Rhyl.
"Two RNLI Flood Rescue Teams assembled in St Asaph and have been deployed to assist the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service in evacuating residents from flooded bungalows in Rhyl," a spokesman for the lifeboat charity said. The emergency service were out in force at the height of the flooding with the fire service getting 34 flood related calls in a four hour period.
Two inshore lifeboats were used to ferry people to safety. Evacuations remain under way in some areas of Denbighshire.
Nearby areas were also affected. Some of those areas included Talacre, Ty'n Y Morfa, Dee Bank, Boot, Welston, Walwen and the Greenfield Business Park.
North Wales Police also urged evacuation in Talacre, Ty'n Y Morfa, Dee Bank, Boot, Welston, Walwen and the Greenfield Business Park. Red cross volunteers are helping residents affected by flooding in Rhyl, and has sent 4x4 vehicles to help with evacuations.
"People are being asked to take action to move important and valuable items to safety, making sure they keep themselves and their families safe and to listen to the advice of emergency services," said a spokesman. Janice Kinsella, Red Cross emergency response coordinator in north Wales, said: "We currently have volunteers and staff helping to run a reception centre in Rhyl and Flintshire and others are on standby in Conwy to assist with ensuring the safety and well-being of members of the community.
Thirteen flood warnings remain in place across north Wales and the warnings have increased to their highest state of alert at Greenfield, Bagillt and Point of Ayr. "We have a fleet of 4X4 vehicles that can be used to assist emergency services with any evacuations and we're in close contact with the local authorities."
People living near the River Dee at Saltney, Flintshire said they could not remember the river being as high. Nine flood warnings remain in place across north Wales with the highest state of alert at Greenfield, Bagillt and Point of Ayr.
People living near the River Dee at Saltney, Flintshire said they could not remember the river being so high.
A BBC reporter at Talacre, Flintshire said the area was "like a ghost town an hour and a half after the evacuation.A BBC reporter at Talacre, Flintshire said the area was "like a ghost town an hour and a half after the evacuation.
"The Dee estuary is bubbling away like a broth.""The Dee estuary is bubbling away like a broth."
There are reports that the defences have broken.There are reports that the defences have broken.
Scaffolding being used in roof repairs at an Aldi store in Mold, Flintshire, collapsed onto cars in high winds.Scaffolding being used in roof repairs at an Aldi store in Mold, Flintshire, collapsed onto cars in high winds.
An Aldi spokesperson said: "Although nobody was hurt in the incident, we immediately evacuated the store."An Aldi spokesperson said: "Although nobody was hurt in the incident, we immediately evacuated the store."
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had warned that high tides and gale force winds could "cause sea surges at their highest levels for the last 10 years, possibly 20 years".Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had warned that high tides and gale force winds could "cause sea surges at their highest levels for the last 10 years, possibly 20 years".
Strong winds of between 60-70mph (97-113km/h) had been reported on the Llyn peninsula on Thursday morning.Strong winds of between 60-70mph (97-113km/h) had been reported on the Llyn peninsula on Thursday morning.
The NRW had urged people to keep away from sea fronts and said emergency response workers were at "key sites".The NRW had urged people to keep away from sea fronts and said emergency response workers were at "key sites".
Roads in Wrexham have also been affected by fallen trees. Emergency teams also attended several reports at Ruabon, Johnstown and Wrexham bypass, among other areas.Roads in Wrexham have also been affected by fallen trees. Emergency teams also attended several reports at Ruabon, Johnstown and Wrexham bypass, among other areas.
Flintshire Bridge which straddles the Dee at Connah's Quay has been closed.Flintshire Bridge which straddles the Dee at Connah's Quay has been closed.
Cars in Deganwy were caught in the flood water but sandbags stopped homes in Marine Parade being damaged.Cars in Deganwy were caught in the flood water but sandbags stopped homes in Marine Parade being damaged.
Meanwhile, Virgin Trains stopped services between Chester and Holyhead.Meanwhile, Virgin Trains stopped services between Chester and Holyhead.
And Arriva Trains Wales says some of its services have also been hit.And Arriva Trains Wales says some of its services have also been hit.
Flood alerts were also issued for the north Wales coast, the west Anglesey coastline, Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay coastlines as well as Swansea Bay and Gower coast.Flood alerts were also issued for the north Wales coast, the west Anglesey coastline, Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay coastlines as well as Swansea Bay and Gower coast.
Updates and information are available on Floodline 0845 988 11 88.Updates and information are available on Floodline 0845 988 11 88.
The flooding was caused by a storm surge from a combination of low pressure and winds of up to 70 mph, causing water to pile high.The flooding was caused by a storm surge from a combination of low pressure and winds of up to 70 mph, causing water to pile high.
At high tide, the sea level rose by at least a metre above usual levels.At high tide, the sea level rose by at least a metre above usual levels.
The highest wind speed was 77mph inland at Capel Curig in Conwy.The highest wind speed was 77mph inland at Capel Curig in Conwy.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We are in contact with the UK Government on the general situation, and with Natural Resources Wales and responder agencies in Wales on conditions in North Wales."
The Met Office expects the worst of Thursday's weather to hit north and west Scotland and parts of north and eastern England, and has issued an amber "be prepared" warning.The Met Office expects the worst of Thursday's weather to hit north and west Scotland and parts of north and eastern England, and has issued an amber "be prepared" warning.
Have you been affected by flooding? Tell us what it is like in your area. E-mail them to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by flooding? Tell us what it is like in your area. E-mail them to newsonline.wales@bbc.co.uk
Please see our BBC Terms of Usebut remember that the copyright remains with you. The pictures will only be used by the BBC for the purposes of this project.Please see our BBC Terms of Usebut remember that the copyright remains with you. The pictures will only be used by the BBC for the purposes of this project.