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Storm Dennis: South Wales flooding declared 'major incident' - BBC News

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Flooding across south Wales has been declared a major incident by the police and other emergency services.

Homes have been evacuated with more than 80 flood warnings and two severe warnings in place following continued rain from Storm Dennis.

South Wales Police said rescue agencies were dealing with "multiple" floods and landslides.

People have been evacuated from their homes in Monmouthshire and Neath with rest centres set up in Merthyr Tydfil.

A Met Office amber warning for rain is in place across most parts of Wales until 15:00 GMT.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued two severe flood warnings - which also means a danger to life - and covers the River Neath at Aberdulais and the River Taff at Pontypridd.

The police statement said the force was co-ordinating a "multi-agency response" in the area.

"The emergency services, jointly with local authority planning departments, local health boards, and organisations such as mountain rescue, Natural Resources Wales and utility companies, are working continuously to ensure the safety and welfare of those affected, minimise damage to infrastructure and property, and minimise disruption," it said.

"Some communities have been cut-off as a result, but emergency service workers are working tirelessly to put measures in place to ensure the safety of residents.

"The public can be reassured that everything is being done to ensure their safety and that while obviously under significant demand, emergency services are coping with the pressure placed upon them."

South Wales Fire and Rescue chief officer Huw Jakeway said nearly 1,000 emergency calls were received since midnight.

"Emergency centres" have been set up at Merthyr and Aberfan Leisure Centre for residents as a precautionary measure, Merthyr Tydfil council said.

And villagers in Tonnau near Neath, were evacuated by bus on Sunday morning.

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Residents of Skenfrith were advised to go to Abergavenny Leisure Centre, or "move to the upstairs of their property," Gwent Police said in a statement.

Traffic Wales has said many roads have been blocked by floods overnight.

Rescues are being carried out in Crickhowell, where homes have been flooded.

Katie Davies, who has been evacuated from her home in Whitchurch in Cardiff, said police knocked on her door at 08:00 to say residents "have to leave because the river has burst its banks".

"Our two cul-de-sacs of 15 houses have all been evacuated," she said.

"The houses on the other side have been flooded straight through.

"It's tragic because it's never been this high. Never in my life and I'm 26 - so not in the last 26 years."

In Pontypridd, bar worker Jack Jones said he had to leave work at Clwb y Bont at about 20:00 on Saturday as the river was entering the bar.

"It came from nowhere," he said.

"To come down this morning and see it like this is quite shocking."

Huw Phillips Griffiths lives next to the river on Berw Road in the town, and said he was "very apprehensive" things could get worse.

His house stayed dry, but neighbours downhill were badly flooded overnight, he said.

"People's homes had up to about five feet of water overnight.

"Last night I saw a taxi floating down the road, with the driver trying to stop it.

"The wall on the river gave in, so I grabbed him as the car went down the river.

"He stayed with a neighbour last night and I think he left this morning. Where the cars have gone, I don't know."

Donna Littlechild, duty tactical manager at Natural Resources Wales said the storm had caused "significant impacts".

She said: "We are urging people to heed advice from ourselves and emergency services.

"Our teams have been out day and night over the last 48 hours to reduce the risk to people and their homes.

"We have installed temporary defences to protect communities as much as possible, as well as deploying pumps, closing flood gates and supporting emergency services."

What areas are affected?

Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader Andrew Morgan said the scale of the incident was "massive".

He said there had been a "huge response" from all responders with the area "very badly affected".

A Met Office amber warning predicting severe rain is in place until 15:00 Sunday and covers large areas of Wales.

Up to 40mm of rain is widely expected to fall and up to 120mm on higher ground.

There is also a yellow "be prepared" warning for strong winds that covers most of Wales until 11:00 on Monday.

Visitors battle strong winds during a thunderstorm at the annual Whitby Regatta, August 2019

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Weather warnings guide
  • YellowSevere weather possible, plan ahead, travel may be disrupted

  • AmberIncreased likelihood of impact, eg travel delays, power cuts

Source: Met Office

Fire crews have been pumping out flooded houses at Cwm, Blaenau Gwent and Argoed, Caerphilly county.

Caerphilly council said it was "getting a lot of calls" about several affected areas including New Tredegar, Bedwas, Newbridge, Risca, and Llanbradach.

Sports fixtures have been hit by the storm and floods and fallen trees have closed numerous roads.

Transport for Wales has made alterations to a large number of routes for the weekend and Monday, with some stops on journeys being missed out.

Those affected include Birmingham to Aberystwyth, Cardiff to Holyhead, and Manchester to Carmarthen, with full details online.

In Cardiff, 44 horses are being evacuated from stables at Pontcanna Fields.

And in Taff's Well, the village hall is offering people a place to go for warm food and to rest.

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Storm Dennis: South Wales flooding declared 'major incident' - BBC News
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