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Clear up begins after 100 mph storms hit north and west Wales | Clear up begins after 100 mph storms hit north and west Wales |
(35 minutes later) | |
Work is beginning to clear up debris, fallen trees and other damage caused by 100 mph winds that battered Wales. | |
Nearly 50,000 homes across north and west Wales remain without power after Wednesday's storm saw gusts of 108 mph. | Nearly 50,000 homes across north and west Wales remain without power after Wednesday's storm saw gusts of 108 mph. |
Some schools will remain shut while disruption on the roads and railways is expected to continue with trees blocking routes. | Some schools will remain shut while disruption on the roads and railways is expected to continue with trees blocking routes. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "We coped very well. The warning was there." | |
He told BBC Radio Wales: "Despite the warning there was still a lot of damage. It may seem an odd thing to say but it could have been worse. | |
"Fortunately nobody was killed although there were some injuries. | |
"The big challenge now is to reconnect people to the power supplies as quickly as possible. | |
"I know the power companies had planned for this. But the problem they had last night was quite simply the conditions were so bad it was very difficult to get up the pylons to safely reconnect people but now the weather is calmer. | |
"Given the circumstances I want to pay tribute to the emergency services and to the engineers who reconnected people in the foulest of weather last night." | |
At the storm's height, 90,000 homes were without power. | |
It said a multi-agency response to the severe weather was being stood down as conditions had eased but felled trees blocking roads continued to hamper Scottish Power teams working to restore lost power. | It said a multi-agency response to the severe weather was being stood down as conditions had eased but felled trees blocking roads continued to hamper Scottish Power teams working to restore lost power. |
North Wales Police Ch Insp Darren Wareing said: "Our efforts are focused onto clearing roads, restoring power and returning the area to normality as quickly but as safely as possible. | North Wales Police Ch Insp Darren Wareing said: "Our efforts are focused onto clearing roads, restoring power and returning the area to normality as quickly but as safely as possible. |
"I would still advise extra care to be taken if any journey needs to be made on foot due to roofing materials dislodged by high winds." | "I would still advise extra care to be taken if any journey needs to be made on foot due to roofing materials dislodged by high winds." |
A BBC Wales weather presenter said: "It will still be blustery but nowhere near as windy as it was on Wednesday. | A BBC Wales weather presenter said: "It will still be blustery but nowhere near as windy as it was on Wednesday. |
'Strong winds' | 'Strong winds' |
"We will see some brightness and showers. It's a brief respite. Gradually the showers will clear away in the night and dry with lighter winds. | "We will see some brightness and showers. It's a brief respite. Gradually the showers will clear away in the night and dry with lighter winds. |
"We've got more wet and windy conditions heading our way through Friday. It will start off on a dry note, we will see wet weather spilling up from the south and with it comes very strong winds. | "We've got more wet and windy conditions heading our way through Friday. It will start off on a dry note, we will see wet weather spilling up from the south and with it comes very strong winds. |
"At the moment there is the warning for the rain so we could see further flooding as we go through Friday and the rain will continue into Saturday." | "At the moment there is the warning for the rain so we could see further flooding as we go through Friday and the rain will continue into Saturday." |
There is a yellow 'be aware' warning for wind across Wales and a similar warning for ice in south east Wales. | There is a yellow 'be aware' warning for wind across Wales and a similar warning for ice in south east Wales. |
The red "take action" warning for wind that was in force on Wednesday has been stood down but the weather caused major disruption. | The red "take action" warning for wind that was in force on Wednesday has been stood down but the weather caused major disruption. |
Military help was even offered as the Welsh coastline took a battering. | Military help was even offered as the Welsh coastline took a battering. |
Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Conwy, Powys were worst affected. | Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Conwy, Powys were worst affected. |
People in west, mid and north Wales were told not to leave their homes unless it was necessary. | People in west, mid and north Wales were told not to leave their homes unless it was necessary. |
Major roads including the M4, the Britannia Bridge in Anglesey and the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire faced closures. | Major roads including the M4, the Britannia Bridge in Anglesey and the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire faced closures. |
Many routes were also blocked by fallen trees. | Many routes were also blocked by fallen trees. |
Rail and bus services also faced severe disruption with many being suspended. | Rail and bus services also faced severe disruption with many being suspended. |
More than 70 schools closed across the country, with some remaining shut following storm damage. | More than 70 schools closed across the country, with some remaining shut following storm damage. |
A Wales Office spokesman said on Wednesday talks between Welsh Secretary David Jones and First Minister Carwyn Jones had taken place over the weather situation. | A Wales Office spokesman said on Wednesday talks between Welsh Secretary David Jones and First Minister Carwyn Jones had taken place over the weather situation. |
He added: "He [David Jones] told the first minister that, if required, he just needs to ask for military assistance. | He added: "He [David Jones] told the first minister that, if required, he just needs to ask for military assistance. |
"Obviously the kind of assistance will depend on what was needed." | "Obviously the kind of assistance will depend on what was needed." |
However, the first minister said on Thursday that it had not been necessary to take up the offer. | |
the army had not been needed. He said support from the Army was offered but they were not needed. | |
As for the Prime Minister's comments that UK government money would be available to help flood-hit communities, he said: "If money is no object we'd like a slice of it please. | |
"If they say they are finding the money within departments we won't get any of it. | |
"If the money is coming from Treasury we will get a share of it but at the moment it is not clear from where the money will be found." |