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Severe flood warnings on north Wales coast RNLI help evacuate homes as gales hit north Wales
(35 minutes later)
Severe flood warnings have been issued on the north Wales coast with residents urged to evacuate in two areas. Lifeboats are helping to evacuate dozens of homes and offices in Rhyl as high tides and gale force winds cause flooding.
Areas between Greenfield and Bagillt in Flintshire and nearby Point of Ayr could be the worst affected, says Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Major disruption has been caused across north east Wales with roads closed, schools shut, trains stopped.
High tide and gale force winds are due to create the highest tide in a decade or more around the north Wales coast. Two severe warnings - suggesting there is a danger to life - had been issued for the area earlier on Thursday.
A rest centre has opened at Holywell Leisure Centre, Flintshire, for evacuees and one is on standby at Rhyl.A rest centre has opened at Holywell Leisure Centre, Flintshire, for evacuees and one is on standby at 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 said.
"The team are currently helping to evacuate the residents with two inshore lifeboats."
North Wales Police said the specific areas which need to be evacuated are Talacre, Ty'n Y Morfa, Dee Bank, Boot, Welston, Walwen and the Greenfield Business Park.North Wales Police said the specific areas which need to be evacuated are Talacre, Ty'n Y Morfa, Dee Bank, Boot, Welston, Walwen and the Greenfield Business Park.
"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 police spokesman. "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.
Fourteen flood warnings are in place for north Wales and the warnings have increased to their highest state of alert at Greenfield, Bagillt and Point of Ayr. Fourteen flood warnings are in place for north Wales and the warnings have increased to their highest state of alert at Greenfield, Bagillt and Point of Ayron.
NRW said 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) said 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) have been reported on the Llyn peninsula on Thursday morning.Strong winds of between 60-70mph (97-113km/h) have been reported on the Llyn peninsula on Thursday morning.
NRW said emergency response workers were at "key sites" and urged people to stay away from sea fronts.NRW said emergency response workers were at "key sites" and urged people to stay away from sea fronts.
A rest centre is being prepared at Rhyl Leisure Centre in case people have to be moved from homes affected by flooding, said Denbighshire council.A rest centre is being prepared at Rhyl Leisure Centre in case people have to be moved from homes affected by flooding, said Denbighshire council.
Strong winds have already led to the closure of West Parade in the seaside resort.Strong winds have already led to the closure of West Parade in the seaside resort.
The council says there is some concern about 74 properties running along it between Butterton Road and Sydenham Avenue. Roads in Wrexham have also been affected by fallen trees. Emergency teams are attending several reports at Ruabon, Johnstown and Wrexham bypass, among other areas.
Roads in Wrexham were affected by fallen trees and other debris in the road with the council attending several reports at Ruabon, Johnstown and Wrexham bypass, among other areas.
Flintshire Bridge which straddles the Dee at Connah's Quay has been closed due to the high winds.Flintshire Bridge which straddles the Dee at Connah's Quay has been closed due to the high winds.
Virgin Trains says there are no trains running between Chester and Holyhead because of poor weather conditions. Meanwhile, Virgin Trains says there are no trains running between Chester and Holyhead because of poor weather conditions.
And Arriva Trains Wales says some of its services across Wales have also been affected. And Arriva Trains Wales says some of its services across Wales have also been hit.
NRW flood forecasting team leader Andy Wall told BBC Wales: "It's going to be unpleasant and dangerous.NRW flood forecasting team leader Andy Wall told BBC Wales: "It's going to be unpleasant and dangerous.
"There is a real risk of some property flooding. I can only stress that we are concerned about this event. Those communities that have had the flood warnings, please stay alert.""There is a real risk of some property flooding. I can only stress that we are concerned about this event. Those communities that have had the flood warnings, please stay alert."
The warnings include the Northern Embankment (including Deeside Industrial Park), Hawarden Embankment (between Queensferry and Saltney), Flint, Greenfield to Bagillt, Ffynnongroyw, Kinmel Bay, Point of Ayr, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Llandulas, Red Wharf Bay, Bangor and Llanfairfechan.The warnings include the Northern Embankment (including Deeside Industrial Park), Hawarden Embankment (between Queensferry and Saltney), Flint, Greenfield to Bagillt, Ffynnongroyw, Kinmel Bay, Point of Ayr, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Llandulas, Red Wharf Bay, Bangor and Llanfairfechan.
Flood alerts were 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 issued for the north Wales coast, the west Anglesey coastline, Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay coastlines as well as Swansea Bay and Gower coast.
Drivers are also urged not to attempt to pass through flood water unless instructed to do so by emergency services.
The agency said the Met Office had forecast high winds between Anglesey and Liverpool, which could raise the level of the sea by "at least" a metre.The agency said the Met Office had forecast high winds between Anglesey and Liverpool, which could raise the level of the sea by "at least" a metre.
NRW emergency response staff will be checking defences and drainage grids. Flood warning officers will monitor sea levels and issue flood warnings to registered properties in areas at risk. Updates and information are available on Floodline 0845 988 11 88.
It said flood alerts and warnings would be updated on its website every 15 minutes.
It also has updates and information on its Floodline number, 0845 988 11 88.
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.
It says a yellow "be aware" wind warning is in place for the rest of Scotland, parts of northern England, north Wales, the Midlands and East Anglia, with strong winds.
Councils in north Wales are monitoring the situation.
Anglesey council said: "Whilst we anticipate that most of the island will avoid the worst weather, additional stoplogs have been placed in Bull Bay and on the Green in Beaumaris by the flood marshal as a precaution.
"Depending on the direction of the wind, more stoplogs may also be placed in Trearddur Bay if necessary."
Denbighshire council said some minor damage to trees is expected, with difficult driving conditions also anticipated.
In Conwy, resurfacing work scheduled on the A470 in Llandudno has been postponed because of the forecast.
In south Wales, the M48 old Severn Bridge has a 40mph speed restriction.