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| Wales storm: Evacuations under way ahead of storm | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| People are being urged to leave their homes in Aberystwyth as the coast of Wales is at risk of flooding with strong winds and more rain forecast. | |
| A full evacuation of all seafront student accommodation in the town is under way. | |
| Twelve flood warnings have been issued in areas including Aberystwyth, Amroth, Caernarfon and Borth. | Twelve flood warnings have been issued in areas including Aberystwyth, Amroth, Caernarfon and Borth. |
| The Met Office has warned waves could be larger than usual with winds of up to 60mph impacting on the tides. | The Met Office has warned waves could be larger than usual with winds of up to 60mph impacting on the tides. |
| Two yellow warnings, meaning be aware, are in force in Wales, one for rain and another for wind. | Two yellow warnings, meaning be aware, are in force in Wales, one for rain and another for wind. |
| All coastal areas are at risk from strong winds. | All coastal areas are at risk from strong winds. |
| Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued 12 flood warnings: | Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued 12 flood warnings: |
| In Aberystwyth, Ceredigion council has told residents living between Pier and Constitution Hill to leave properties and go to a rest centre in Penglais School before 10:00 GMT. | |
| In a series of Tweets, Ceredigion council said: "Very high tides with exceptional wave swell predicted this morning at 11:10 in Aberystwyth. | |
| "In light of the existing damage this could cause serious injury, substantial flooding and damage to properties. | |
| "Residents between Pier and Constitution Hill should leave properties and go to our Rest Centre in Penglais School ASAP before 10am. | |
| "Everyone should keep away from the Promenade as it is very dangerous," it added. | |
| Aberystwyth University has said a full evacuation of all of its seafront residences is under way following advice from NRW and Ceredigion council. | |
| In Caernarfon, parts of the town from the sailing club to St Helen's Road could be affected, while people in Morfa Bychan parts of the village from Beach Road to River Treflys, including Greenacres Caravan Park, Glan Aber Caravan Park and Porthmadog Golf Club are bracing themselves. | In Caernarfon, parts of the town from the sailing club to St Helen's Road could be affected, while people in Morfa Bychan parts of the village from Beach Road to River Treflys, including Greenacres Caravan Park, Glan Aber Caravan Park and Porthmadog Golf Club are bracing themselves. |
| The promenade and properties around the harbour and Heol Llywelyn and Heol y Llan in Barmouth could also be affected. | The promenade and properties around the harbour and Heol Llywelyn and Heol y Llan in Barmouth could also be affected. |
| In the Lower Dee Valley, flood water could impact isolated properties and extensive areas of farm land. | In the Lower Dee Valley, flood water could impact isolated properties and extensive areas of farm land. |
| A further 17 alerts of possible flooding in areas including Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire have been issued. | |
| A further tidal surge and large waves are predicted, which could cause further problems. | A further tidal surge and large waves are predicted, which could cause further problems. |
| It comes as councils along the coast of Wales are assessing the damage caused by Friday's exceptional storm surge. | It comes as councils along the coast of Wales are assessing the damage caused by Friday's exceptional storm surge. |
| Minister Alun Davies said he had been "shocked to the core" at damage in Aberystwyth and has ordered a review of coastal defences. | Minister Alun Davies said he had been "shocked to the core" at damage in Aberystwyth and has ordered a review of coastal defences. |
| Meanwhile, overnight, the highest wind gust was 67mph recorded at Capel Curig in Snowdonia at 05:00 GMT. | Meanwhile, overnight, the highest wind gust was 67mph recorded at Capel Curig in Snowdonia at 05:00 GMT. |
| Around the coast, a 55mph gust was recorded at Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula at 06:00 GMT. | Around the coast, a 55mph gust was recorded at Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula at 06:00 GMT. |
| "The wind is likely to impact on the tides during Monday morning, generating very large waves," said a NRW spokesman. | "The wind is likely to impact on the tides during Monday morning, generating very large waves," said a NRW spokesman. |
| 'Cocktail of bad weather' | 'Cocktail of bad weather' |
| "Although conditions are not predicted to be as bad as on Friday, the combination of strong winds and high tides will still make the coast a dangerous place to be." | "Although conditions are not predicted to be as bad as on Friday, the combination of strong winds and high tides will still make the coast a dangerous place to be." |
| Andy Wall, flood forecasting manager at NRW, told Radio Wales that £20m had been invested since 2006 in coastal flood defence schemes and forecasters are able to inform the public of storms days in advance. | Andy Wall, flood forecasting manager at NRW, told Radio Wales that £20m had been invested since 2006 in coastal flood defence schemes and forecasters are able to inform the public of storms days in advance. |
| "Ten or 20 years ago we would be in a situation where some of the meteorologists would have the information but would not be able to communicate it, 1953 was a classic example of that," he said. | "Ten or 20 years ago we would be in a situation where some of the meteorologists would have the information but would not be able to communicate it, 1953 was a classic example of that," he said. |
| "Whereas now, these significant events we're given notice several days in advance... And we're able to alert the public and action can be taken." | "Whereas now, these significant events we're given notice several days in advance... And we're able to alert the public and action can be taken." |
| He said flood investment is prioritised for communities most at risk. | He said flood investment is prioritised for communities most at risk. |
| "There is a limited funding available, although to be fair, in Wales we've benefited from additional Welsh government funding over the next two years to invest further in flood defences, which is very welcome. But, as always we have to prioritise where the risk is greatest," he said. | "There is a limited funding available, although to be fair, in Wales we've benefited from additional Welsh government funding over the next two years to invest further in flood defences, which is very welcome. But, as always we have to prioritise where the risk is greatest," he said. |
| Evacuating students | Evacuating students |
| NRW advised people to avoid going close to sea fronts "as conditions continue to be dangerous, especially as they could be damaged by the recent storm." | NRW advised people to avoid going close to sea fronts "as conditions continue to be dangerous, especially as they could be damaged by the recent storm." |
| Aberystwyth University has taken the precautionary measure of evacuating students from sea-facing bedrooms and kitchens. | Aberystwyth University has taken the precautionary measure of evacuating students from sea-facing bedrooms and kitchens. |
| The promenade was hit by a tidal surge on Friday evening and the storm brought rocks and debris onto the front and nearby streets after high tide. | |
| As the clean up operation got under way, Ceredigion AM Elin Jones told BBC Radio Wales: "This job is bigger than what one local authority can deal with and, therefore, the national government and Natural Resources Wales need to come together to work out what their short term strategy for making the prom safe and accessible for locals and tourists. | |
| "And then the longer term work that needs to be undertaken to defend Aberystwyth from the effect of climate change, changing and the devastating storms that are hitting this west Wales coastline." | |
| Over the weekend, NRW officers were out checking flood defences and repairing damage so they are robust as they can be. | Over the weekend, NRW officers were out checking flood defences and repairing damage so they are robust as they can be. |
| Staff will monitor the situation and update flood alerts and warnings on its website every 15 minutes. | Staff will monitor the situation and update flood alerts and warnings on its website every 15 minutes. |
| People who live in areas at risk of flooding can register for free flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0845 988 11 88. | People who live in areas at risk of flooding can register for free flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0845 988 11 88. |
| On Monday morning there were speed restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge and the Britannia Bridge in north Wales, due to the high winds. | On Monday morning there were speed restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge and the Britannia Bridge in north Wales, due to the high winds. |
| In Pembokeshire, the A487 was closed between Welsh Road (Newgale) and Anchor Down (Solva). | |
| On the railways, disruption is expected on several Arriva Trains Wales services due to flooding. | On the railways, disruption is expected on several Arriva Trains Wales services due to flooding. |
| Buses will replace trains from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice, while the line between Machynlleth and Pwlhelli will remain closed for several weeks due to extensive damage. | Buses will replace trains from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice, while the line between Machynlleth and Pwlhelli will remain closed for several weeks due to extensive damage. |
| A replacement bus service is running between Llanelli and Carmarthen due to obstructions on the line at Pembrey and Burry Port. | A replacement bus service is running between Llanelli and Carmarthen due to obstructions on the line at Pembrey and Burry Port. |
| All sailings are also cancelled on Stena Line between Fishguard and Rosslare. | All sailings are also cancelled on Stena Line between Fishguard and Rosslare. |
| There will be full coverage of disruption from the stormy weather and flooding on BBC Wales online, via Twitter @BBCWalesNews, on Wales Today bulletins on BBC One Wales and on BBC Radio Wales. | There will be full coverage of disruption from the stormy weather and flooding on BBC Wales online, via Twitter @BBCWalesNews, on Wales Today bulletins on BBC One Wales and on BBC Radio Wales. |