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Welsh coast braced for tidal storm surge Welsh coast braced for tidal storm surge
(35 minutes later)
Emergency services are on standby as residents brace themselves for some of the highest tides in decades backed by gale force winds.Emergency services are on standby as residents brace themselves for some of the highest tides in decades backed by gale force winds.
Four severe flood warnings are in place in Wales -- two in Flintshire, one at Barmouth in Gwynedd, and another in the Usk Estuary at Newport.Four severe flood warnings are in place in Wales -- two in Flintshire, one at Barmouth in Gwynedd, and another in the Usk Estuary at Newport.
Homes at St Brides Wentlooge, Newport, were also evacuated as a precaution. Homes at St Brides Wentlooge, Newport have been evacuated as a precaution.
Across much off the south and west coast of Wales, scores more flood warnings are in force.Across much off the south and west coast of Wales, scores more flood warnings are in force.
The high tide will reach Pembrokeshire shortly after 07:00 GMT. The high tide was due to reach Pembrokeshire between 07:00 and 08:00 GMT.
"High spring tides will coincide with a storm surge, large waves and high winds giving the potential for the highest tidal water levels that have been experienced for a considerable period of time," said flood warnings issued on Thursday night."High spring tides will coincide with a storm surge, large waves and high winds giving the potential for the highest tidal water levels that have been experienced for a considerable period of time," said flood warnings issued on Thursday night.
They stretch from parts of Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd in the north, through Ceredigion to Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, and then across from Swansea to Cardiff, and onto Newport and Monmouthshire.They stretch from parts of Conwy, Anglesey and Gwynedd in the north, through Ceredigion to Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, and then across from Swansea to Cardiff, and onto Newport and Monmouthshire.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it had already started opening incident rooms on Thursday in anticipation of flooding. Homes on the Lighthouse Park Estate located in Wentlooge Levels, Newport and the area north of Crindau, Pill were evacuated on Thursday night because of the risk of flooding.
"As the Met Office forecasts gale force winds, we are monitoring sea levels and weather conditions and will issue flood warnings to registered properties in those areas at risk," said a spokesperson. People affected were housed in emergency accommodation overnight.
"We have already been speaking with our partners from the emergency services and all the local authorities which might be affected so they can put their plans into action." Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it had already started opening incident rooms in anticipation of flooding.
"This is the some of the highest tides since 1997, and on top of that it's very windy so that's causing about a one metre surge on top of the tide," said Joanne Sherwood, from NRW.
"We think this is serious and we've had our teams out and about checking defences making sure things are in good working order," she told BBC Radio Wales.
The severe flood warnings - the highest category of warning meaning life and property are at risk - are currently in place at:The severe flood warnings - the highest category of warning meaning life and property are at risk - are currently in place at:
"The fact that this has been issued needs to be taken seriously," stressed Ch Supt Jeremy Vaughan, who is leading the response in Barmouth."The fact that this has been issued needs to be taken seriously," stressed Ch Supt Jeremy Vaughan, who is leading the response in Barmouth.
"People living in the affected areas need to heed the warning and make arrangements now to secure their own safety.""People living in the affected areas need to heed the warning and make arrangements now to secure their own safety."
On Friday morning Insp Mark Armstrong from North Wales Police tweeted a warning for people for to use the north end of Barmouth promenade as the strong tidal surge was throwing rocks onto the road.
Properties at risk are on the seafront at the harbour and Heol Llywelyn and Heol y Llan.Properties at risk are on the seafront at the harbour and Heol Llywelyn and Heol y Llan.
In Pembrokeshire the council has also warned the public to remain vigilant, with disruption expected in several locations.In Pembrokeshire the council has also warned the public to remain vigilant, with disruption expected in several locations.
"At Haverfordwest, the flood warning is close to severe, and Quay Street will be at risk of closure," said a council spokesperson."At Haverfordwest, the flood warning is close to severe, and Quay Street will be at risk of closure," said a council spokesperson.
"At Newgale, the pebble defence wall may be breached which may result in the closure of the A487 for some time."
The whole stretch of the coast from Dale and Amroth across to Saundersfoot will be affected, said officials.The whole stretch of the coast from Dale and Amroth across to Saundersfoot will be affected, said officials.
In Monmouthshire, the council said it was closing the A466 at Tintern for 20 minutes each side of the high tide, which is expected at 09:00.In Monmouthshire, the council said it was closing the A466 at Tintern for 20 minutes each side of the high tide, which is expected at 09:00.
"The combination of high tides, flood water, high winds and forecasted tidal surge in the Severn, together with low pressure, means that properties may be at risk of flood," said Roger Hoggins, head of operations at Monmouthshire council."The combination of high tides, flood water, high winds and forecasted tidal surge in the Severn, together with low pressure, means that properties may be at risk of flood," said Roger Hoggins, head of operations at Monmouthshire council.
"Therefore, on Friday morning we will be sandbagging vulnerable properties prior to closing the road.""Therefore, on Friday morning we will be sandbagging vulnerable properties prior to closing the road."
Elsewhere, travel disruption includes:
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind which remains in force until midnight on Friday.The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind which remains in force until midnight on Friday.
Forecasters say gales could hit 80mph at times on exposed parts of the Welsh coastline, gusting to 60-70mph in other areas.Forecasters say gales could hit 80mph at times on exposed parts of the Welsh coastline, gusting to 60-70mph in other areas.
NRW urged the public to stay away from the waves.NRW urged the public to stay away from the waves.
"We are also warning people to avoid visiting the seafront due to the risk of being swept away by large waves or hit by wave and wind-blown debris," said a spokesperson."We are also warning people to avoid visiting the seafront due to the risk of being swept away by large waves or hit by wave and wind-blown debris," said a spokesperson.
"Flood water can also be extremely dangerous, and people should not attempt to walk or drive through it unless instructed by the emergency services.""Flood water can also be extremely dangerous, and people should not attempt to walk or drive through it unless instructed by the emergency services."