This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25538273

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Wales weather: Residents hope for power after 109mph storms Wales weather: Residents hope for power after 109mph storms
(about 3 hours later)
Engineers have been working to restore power to the last remaining homes in north Wales still cut off following the Boxing Day gales.Engineers have been working to restore power to the last remaining homes in north Wales still cut off following the Boxing Day gales.
With Anglesey and Gwynedd hardest hit, ScottishPower had reconnected more than 20,000 properties by Saturday evening.With Anglesey and Gwynedd hardest hit, ScottishPower had reconnected more than 20,000 properties by Saturday evening.
It was offering alternative accommodation to residents of around 100 homes where it could not guarantee to restore power before Sunday. The company said a "very small pocket" of properties remained without power at 12:30 GMT on Sunday, but added they would be re-connected during the day.
Meanwhile, the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on Monday. Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on Monday.
There was one flood warning still in place for the Lower Dee Valley and a flood alert for rivers in south Pembrokeshire as of 08:20 GMT on Sunday. A flood warning for the Lower Dee Valley was lifted on Sunday, leaving one flood alert in place for rivers in south Pembrokeshire as of 13:30 GMT on Sunday.
Road problemsRoad problems
The high winds caused a string of incidents of structural damage, including slates falling into the Maes in Caernarfon and in Bangor High Street. The high winds had caused a string of incidents of structural damage, including slates falling into the Maes in Caernarfon and in Bangor High Street.
In south west Wales fire crews were called out to a number of towns in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to deal with falling slates and chimney stacks. In south west Wales fire crews had been called out to a number of towns in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to deal with falling slates and chimney stacks.
Council workers across Wales spent much of Friday and Saturday clearing fallen trees from roads.Council workers across Wales spent much of Friday and Saturday clearing fallen trees from roads.
In Gwynedd, the B4573 was still closed in both directions between Harlech and Tygwyn on Sunday morning because of a fallen tree and fallen power cables but there were no other major travel disruptions in the county. In Gwynedd, the B4573 was still closed in both directions between Harlech and Tygwyn on Sunday because of a fallen tree and power cables but there were no other major travel disruptions in the county.
Ice on the roads was a problem in south Wales on Sunday, with fire crews dealing with a number of minor collisions. Ice on the roads was a problem in south Wales on Sunday morning, with fire crews dealing with a number of minor collisions.
Arriva Trains Wales said a replacement bus was still operating between Harlech and Pwllheli on Sunday due to damage to a river bridge at Llandecwyn.Arriva Trains Wales said a replacement bus was still operating between Harlech and Pwllheli on Sunday due to damage to a river bridge at Llandecwyn.
ScottishPower said it was working to reconnect homes and businesses which have lost power during the gales, cancelling all non-essential maintenance work and bringing in extra contractors.ScottishPower said it was working to reconnect homes and businesses which have lost power during the gales, cancelling all non-essential maintenance work and bringing in extra contractors.
The company has reconnected more than 20,000 homes across north and mid Wales since the storm hit, with 250 properties still without power as of 22:00 GMT on Saturday. The company has reconnected more than 20,000 homes across north and mid Wales since the storm hit.
A spokesman said the company had offered alternative accommodation for residents of around 100 homes where reconnection could not be guaranteed before Sunday.
Gwynedd councillor Gareth Roberts, from Aberdaron, said "quite a few" electricity poles had been blown down.Gwynedd councillor Gareth Roberts, from Aberdaron, said "quite a few" electricity poles had been blown down.
He added: "People that have seen the poles have said they look very rotten inside.He added: "People that have seen the poles have said they look very rotten inside.
"They look fine from the outside, but on the inside they're mush apparently. Maybe there are questions to ask over whether this could have been avoided with a better replacement policy.""They look fine from the outside, but on the inside they're mush apparently. Maybe there are questions to ask over whether this could have been avoided with a better replacement policy."
Mr Roberts said most properties had been re-connected by Saturday and a few farms in more remote areas were due to have power restored by lunch time on Sunday. Mr Roberts said most properties had been reconnected by Saturday and a few farms in more remote areas were due to have power restored by lunch time on Sunday.
He added: "Overall, it could have been a lot worse. We're used to electricity cuts around here - it's not unusual because we are so exposed.He added: "Overall, it could have been a lot worse. We're used to electricity cuts around here - it's not unusual because we are so exposed.
"A day without electricity is no real hardship, but when you go into two or three days, and it starts to affect peoples' freezers and so on, it becomes a bit tedious."A day without electricity is no real hardship, but when you go into two or three days, and it starts to affect peoples' freezers and so on, it becomes a bit tedious.
"I think people have realised that the emergency workers are working flat out to get things sorted."I think people have realised that the emergency workers are working flat out to get things sorted.
"You have to take your hat off to people who go out in that kind of weather to get the power back on.""You have to take your hat off to people who go out in that kind of weather to get the power back on."
In response to claims about the condition of its poles, the company said: "ScottishPower carry out regular inspections on our network and have a ongoing investment programme to make sure our network is in good condition."
Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a yellow alert ahead of heavy rain and wind on Monday, with Wales, south west England and Scotland predicted to be the worst affected areas of the UK.Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a yellow alert ahead of heavy rain and wind on Monday, with Wales, south west England and Scotland predicted to be the worst affected areas of the UK.
Heavy rain is expected to spread across south Wales and south west England on Sunday night into Monday morning.Heavy rain is expected to spread across south Wales and south west England on Sunday night into Monday morning.
Winds of 60 to 70mph are likely in Wales, and up to 80mph in exposed parts of west Wales.Winds of 60 to 70mph are likely in Wales, and up to 80mph in exposed parts of west Wales.
"With ground already saturated over much of this region, the public should be aware of the risk of further local flooding," the Met Office said."With ground already saturated over much of this region, the public should be aware of the risk of further local flooding," the Met Office said.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions