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Welsh coast battered by tidal surge increased by high winds Welsh coast battered by tidal surge increased by high winds
(35 minutes later)
Several rivers have burst their banks and flood protection systems are taking a battering as a tidal surge hits the Wales coastline.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. Police have been called to move people away from Burry Port pier and up to 50 caravans have been flooded.
Some homes in Newport have been evacuated overnight.
Across much off the south and west coast of Wales, more than 50 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 - the worst in 17 years - started to hit the coast of Pembrokeshire after 07:00 GMT.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the road is impassable in the Rickeston Hill area of Milford Haven due to flooding.
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.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.
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. Ron Cant from Carmarthenshire council said some people were ignoring the dangers and the police had been called.
"All the emergency services have been on standby with eyes fixed on the high tide times."" "Our rangers have had problems at Burry Port particularly where people have been driving down and lots going on to the pier.
On Friday morning travel disruption includes: We've had to call for police assistance. They have started to move them out," said Mr Cant.
"We put warnings out asking people to stay away from coastal paths, particularly over these next couple of days where we have this situation repeated morning and evening through the weekend.
"It's extremely dangerous when the tide is in and this wind gusting up to 70-80mph driving waves in, particularly perilous for anybody on the shore side."
Up to 50 caravans have been flooded at Carmarthen Bay caravan park, he added.
In Pendine the high tide is reported to have smashed through flood boards put up by council workmen on Thursday to plug gaps in the sea wall, and the Beach Hotel has been flooded.
BBC Wales reporter Gilbert John, at Castle Hill in Carmarthen overlooking the River Towy, said: "It's not a river any more, it's a sea because the entire valley is covered in water.
"The conditions on the shore are absolutely devastating."
The high tide - the worst in 17 years - started to hit the coast of Pembrokeshire after 07:00 GMT.
On Friday morning travel disruption included:
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.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.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.
"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 Natural Resources Wales (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 not 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 had 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."
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.
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.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."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.""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.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."