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Welsh coast braced for tidal storm surge Welsh coast battered by tidal surge increased by high winds
(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. Several rivers have burst their banks and flood protection systems are taking a battering as a tidal surge hits the Wales coastline.
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 have been 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, more than 50 flood warnings are in force.
The high tide was due to reach Pembrokeshire between 07:00 and 08:00 GMT. The high tide - the worst in 17 years - started to hit the coast of Pembrokeshire after 07:00 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. Dyfed-Powys Police said the road is impassable in the Rickeston Hill area of Milford Haven due to flooding.
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. In Carmarthenshire the A4066 is closed at Laugharne after the river Taf burst its banks, and the main road in Pendine is also closed due to 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. BBC Wales reporter Gilbert John, at Castle Hill in Carmarthen overlooking the River Towy, said: "Advance warning of possible problems came in Carmarthenshire with water over-topping the wall at quayside in the town centre and the Towy Valley itself looking more like a lake than farmland.
"All the emergency services have been on standby with eyes fixed on the high tide times.""
On Friday morning travel disruption includes:
Flood warnings 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.
Homes on the Lighthouse Park Estate in Wentlooge Levels, Newport and in the area north of Crindau, Pill were evacuated on Thursday night because of the risk of flooding.
People affected were housed in emergency accommodation overnight.People affected were housed in emergency accommodation overnight.
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 Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
"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."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. On Friday morning Insp Mark Armstrong from North Wales Police tweeted a warning for people not 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 had 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.
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. Meteorological officer Charlie Powell told Radio Wales: "We've already seen gusts of up to 70mph across some exposed western parts of Wales and it's the wind that's going to be the crux of this next batch of severe weather.
"From now really until 9am we can expect to see tides peaking as we go from south to north and as these strong winds coincide with those high tides and push that water it gives really high waves and that just increases the risk of coastal flooding.
"It's relatively rare to see all these things combining at exactly the same time and it's exactly why these risks are so high this time."
He added that the hills and mountains of Wales will be worst hit by the winds.
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."