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Storm surge brings flooding chaos around Wales' coast Aberystwyth and Borth evacuation alerts over high tides
(35 minutes later)
A trail of chaos has been left along the Welsh coastline with flood warnings continuing ahead of the next high tide. People along the coast around Aberystwyth are being urged to evacuate homes ahead of tonight's high tide with fears of more flooding.
About 30 properties were flooded in Cardigan where a pregnant woman was rescued after "exceptional" tides. Rest centres have been set up with waves 6ft above sea level predicted for the town and Borth, eight miles away.
In Gwynedd, a lifeboat rescued five people from flooded caravans in Pwllheli, and four others were rescued from a farm in Llanbedr, Barmouth. Severe flood warnings, where there is a danger to life, are in place in both areas as well as the Usk estuary at Newport.
But the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning and Natural Resources Wales says floods may return later. Storm surges brought floods and disruption earlier.
Meanwhile, the upstairs of a house at Penpedairheol in Caerphilly county was set on fire after being struck by lightning just after 16:20 GMT. Ceredigion council urged people to move to a rest centre at Penglais school before 19:30 GMT.
Friday evening's high tide is due to peak at Newport at 20:40 GMT and in Aberystwyth at 21:20 GMT. A Ceredigion council tweet said: "We strongly advise residents on Aberystwyth seafront and town centre to vacate all properties."
Friday evening's high tide is due to peak at Aberystwyth at 21:20 GMT.
A similar warning was issued for Borth with a rest centre set up at the community and youth centre
Three severe flood warnings are in place ,with waves predicted to be 6ft above sea level at Aberystwyth and Borth. There are also dozens of flood warnings.
A Natural Resources Wales (NRW) spokesperson said: "Although the tides peaked this morning across large areas of Wales, this evening's tides remain very high and predictions show that in Cardigan Bay they may be higher than this morning's levels.A Natural Resources Wales (NRW) spokesperson said: "Although the tides peaked this morning across large areas of Wales, this evening's tides remain very high and predictions show that in Cardigan Bay they may be higher than this morning's levels.
"This could lead to further overtopping of sea defences and flooding to roads and properties close to the seafront at Aberystwyth and Borth.""This could lead to further overtopping of sea defences and flooding to roads and properties close to the seafront at Aberystwyth and Borth."
The day's first tide - combined with high winds and rain - left a trail of chaos with emergency services carrying out rescues at Cardigan and Gwynedd.
First Minister Carwyn Jones tweeted: "My thoughts are with those affected by the bad weather. Please follow advice of the emergency services."First Minister Carwyn Jones tweeted: "My thoughts are with those affected by the bad weather. Please follow advice of the emergency services."
In communities along the whole of Wales' coastline dozens of roads were closed and the rail network was also badly affected.In communities along the whole of Wales' coastline dozens of roads were closed and the rail network was also badly affected.
Meanwhile, the upstairs of a house at Penpedairheol in Caerphilly county was set on fire after being struck by lightning just after 16:20 GMT.
In Aberystwyth student Tom Rule said he woke up to see the promenade "destroyed and huge waves crashing onto it".In Aberystwyth student Tom Rule said he woke up to see the promenade "destroyed and huge waves crashing onto it".
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were busy with flooding incidents in Fishguard, Cardigan, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were busy with flooding incidents in Fishguard, Cardigan, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth.
In Flintshire, rest centres were set up for people who were advised to leave their homes at Greenfield and Talacre in anticipation of more floods that hit neighbouring Rhyl in early December.In Flintshire, rest centres were set up for people who were advised to leave their homes at Greenfield and Talacre in anticipation of more floods that hit neighbouring Rhyl in early December.
However, the Flintshire coast escaped serious incidents in the lunchtime high tide.However, the Flintshire coast escaped serious incidents in the lunchtime high tide.
But Chief Supt Jeremy Vaughan of North Wales Police who led the response, said: "On this occasion whilst it was unfortunate that some properties were flooded, the impact was less severe than anticipated, this could have been very much worse."But Chief Supt Jeremy Vaughan of North Wales Police who led the response, said: "On this occasion whilst it was unfortunate that some properties were flooded, the impact was less severe than anticipated, this could have been very much worse."
Three severe flood warnings are in place on the Usk estuary at Newport and the tidal areas at Aberystwyth and Borth in Milford Haven. There are also dozens of flood warnings.
In Barmouth a man was rescued by boat from a flooded cafe on the beach.In Barmouth a man was rescued by boat from a flooded cafe on the beach.
A flood rescue team also helped four people at a farm in Llanbedr near Barmouth.A flood rescue team also helped four people at a farm in Llanbedr near Barmouth.
The RNLI said two elderly men and a woman, along with a younger woman, were rescued from water which was waist deep.The RNLI said two elderly men and a woman, along with a younger woman, were rescued from water which was waist deep.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said properties had been flooded in St Mary Street in Cardigan leaving some people trapped.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said properties had been flooded in St Mary Street in Cardigan leaving some people trapped.
Among those rescued was a pregnant woman and fire crews from Crymych, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan were using wading equipment and boats to reach homes.Among those rescued was a pregnant woman and fire crews from Crymych, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan were using wading equipment and boats to reach homes.
Earlier, as the high tide hit south Wales, police were called to move people from Burry Port pier in Carmarthenshire.Earlier, as the high tide hit south Wales, police were called to move people from Burry Port pier in Carmarthenshire.
Ron Cant from Carmarthenshire council said some people were ignoring the dangers posed by the high winds and tides and the police had been called.Ron Cant from Carmarthenshire council said some people were ignoring the dangers posed by the high winds and tides and the police had been called.
The council had crews working through the night helping out at flooding incidents. More staff are now being called in from annual leave to help if needed as the bad weather is forecast for the weekend.The council had crews working through the night helping out at flooding incidents. More staff are now being called in from annual leave to help if needed as the bad weather is forecast for the weekend.
About 70 holiday chalets have been flooded at Carmarthen Bay caravan park in Kidwelly.About 70 holiday chalets have been flooded at Carmarthen Bay caravan park in Kidwelly.
In Pendine the high tide was reported to have smashed through flood boards put up to plug gaps in the sea wall, and the Beach Hotel has been flooded.In Pendine the high tide was reported to have smashed through flood boards put up to plug gaps in the sea wall, and the Beach Hotel has been flooded.
The high tide - thought to be the worst in 17 years - started to hit the coast of Pembrokeshire after 07:00 GMT and reached north Wales after midday.The high tide - thought to be the worst in 17 years - started to hit the coast of Pembrokeshire after 07:00 GMT and reached north Wales after midday.
Pembrokeshire council has already advised householders and business owners whose properties are at risk of flooding to prepare for continued high tides over the weekend by stocking up on sandbags and tarpaulins at local builders' merchants.Pembrokeshire council has already advised householders and business owners whose properties are at risk of flooding to prepare for continued high tides over the weekend by stocking up on sandbags and tarpaulins at local builders' merchants.
Some homes in Newport were evacuated overnight as a precaution.Some homes in Newport were evacuated overnight as a precaution.
Homes on the Lighthouse Park Estate in Wentlooge Levels, Newport and in the area north of Crindau, Pill were affected.Homes on the Lighthouse Park Estate in Wentlooge Levels, Newport and in the area north of Crindau, Pill were affected.
Joanne Sherwood, from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said: "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.Joanne Sherwood, from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), said: "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.
"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.
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.
"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."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.