Sunday 6 February 2011

BBC News - Rescues from homes and cars in flooding in north Wales

Rescues from homes and cars in flooding in north Wales

Related Stories

Flooding is causing problems across north and mid Wales with fire crews rescuing people from their homes and cars due to high water levels.

Seven people were led from properties in Llandysilio, near Welshpool, by firefighters dealing with flood water.

A number of people called emergency services after being stuck in their cars after driving into flood waters in separate incidents in Powys.

There are 14 flood warnings in place across Wales and several roads closed.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they have been responding to calls to property flooding in Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire on Sunday.

FLOOD WARNINGS ACROSS WALES

  • River Severn at Buttington
  • River Severn at Welshpool
  • River Severn at Pool Quay and Trewern
  • River Severn at Aberbechan
  • Bangor on Dee
  • River Vyrnwy at Llansantffraid
  • River Vyrnwy at Llanymynech
  • Town of Bala
  • River Severn at Abermule and Fron
  • Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Chester
  • Upper Dee Valley from Llanuwchllyn to Llangollen including Corwen
  • River Vyrnwy in the Meifod area
  • Dyfi Valley and Machynlleth
  • Conwy Valley

In Llandysilio, a fire crew was called to help householders early on Sunday morning - amid fast-rising levels on the River Vyrnwy.

Firefighter Adrian Bowen said the speed of the deluge took householders, evacuated to crews from Oswestry, by surprise.

He described the flood water as an "unbelievable sight" and something he had "never seen in 20 years".

Among those rescued were an elderly couple, in their 70s, who had been "frantically trying to push water out of the property".

"As we arrived it started with a minimum of one inch and by the time we managed to rescue them it was eight inches to a foot coming in," said Mr Bowen.

The Environment Agency has issued 14 flood warnings - when flooding is expected - and eight flood alerts - when floods are possible - across Wales on Sunday.

The flooding comes after a severe weather warning for heavy rain was issued by the Met Office on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Powys, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they have also deployed their "swift water rescue" crews after receiving calls from people stuck in their cars across Powys.

Firefighters with specialist training and equipment who are able to launch rescues in fast-flowing water - have been helping motorists.

In north Wales, properties in Pentrefoelas, Capel Curig, and Betws y Coed are among those affected.

North Wales Fire Service they have also received calls about flooding on roads in Rhyl, Denbighshire.

A number of roads have been closed due to the flood water. They include:

Conwy: A470 Llanrwst Road between Maenan and Church Street, Glan Conwy.

Gwynedd: A487 Dyfi Bridge between A493 and Machynlleth.

Powys: A458, near Welshpool, closed between A490, Welshpool, and B4385, Castle Caereinion; A483 The Street, Four Crosses, between B4393 Canal Road, Four Crosses and B4398, Llanymynech; A495 High Street, Meifod; and B4382, between B4389, Glascoed, and A495, Llangyniew.

Wrexham: The B5426 is closed between A528, Bangor on Dee, and A525, Eyton.

More on This Story

Related Stories

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites