This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7286129.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Flood warning as storm approaches Warning of evacuation over storms
(about 6 hours later)
South and west Wales have been warned they will bear the brunt as the biggest storm of winter heads towards the UK. High-risk flooding areas have been warned of possible evacuations as Wales faces the biggest storm of the winter.
People in low-lying exposed coastal areas have been urged to stay alert amid fears of flooding and damage. People in low-lying exposed coastal areas have been urged to stay alert amid high tides and strong winds.
Experts said the most risk was at high tide on Monday morning, with winds up to 80mph and rain due on Sunday night. Experts said the biggest threat was on Monday morning, with gusts up to 80mph and rain sweeping in from Sunday night.
South and west Wales were likely to bear the brunt and people in areas such as Newgale, Pembrokeshire, were told they might have to leave their homes.
Environment Agency Wales said it had to "prepare for the worst," with high spring tides, very low pressure, and strong onshore winds forecast.Environment Agency Wales said it had to "prepare for the worst," with high spring tides, very low pressure, and strong onshore winds forecast.
The Met Office has severe weather warnings for all of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern and central Scotland.The Met Office has severe weather warnings for all of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and southern and central Scotland.
David Rooke, head of flood risk management at the Environment Agency, said: "People living in properties in low-lying exposed coastal areas along the south west, Wales and north-west England should make sure they are monitoring the situation from Sunday afternoon onwards by checking flood updates on the Environment Agency website or ringing Floodline. Pembrokeshire Council said Amroth, Newgale, Dale, Solva and the centre of Haverfordwest were expected to be worst-hit, with damage likely across the county from high winds.
We are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales John Mosedale, Environment Agency WalesWe are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales John Mosedale, Environment Agency Wales
"If the weather is as bad as predicted, there is a possibility of evacuations in high risk flooding areas such as Newgale," said the council.
People were advised to monitor local radio and TV stations and not to make unnecessary journeys.
Pembrokeshire Council officials met the emergency services on Sunday to prepare, and announced that the road at Newgale would be shut from 0600 GMT on Monday, while the Cleddau Bridge was likely to be closed for much of the day.
David Rooke, head of flood risk management at the Environment Agency, said: "People living in properties in low-lying exposed coastal areas along the south-west, Wales and north-west England should make sure they are monitoring the situation from Sunday afternoon onwards by checking flood updates on the Environment Agency website or ringing Floodline.
"The strong winds will combine with spring high tides to significantly elevate the water levels along the coast which is likely to cause some flooding."The strong winds will combine with spring high tides to significantly elevate the water levels along the coast which is likely to cause some flooding.
'Vulnerable to flooding'
"We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves - it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water.""We understand that people are fascinated by the sea but at times like this we do urge them not to go and watch the high waves - it is extremely dangerous and only takes a few seconds for someone to be knocked off their feet, into the water."
John Mosedale, flood risk manager at Environment Agency Wales, said the consequences were difficult to predict.John Mosedale, flood risk manager at Environment Agency Wales, said the consequences were difficult to predict.
'Vulnerable to flooding'
"But we know that with high spring tides, a very low pressure area and very strong on-shore winds, we need to prepare for the worst," he said."But we know that with high spring tides, a very low pressure area and very strong on-shore winds, we need to prepare for the worst," he said.
"We are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales. Coastal communities facing south and west will also be vulnerable to flooding from waves."We are concerned that the sea surge could overtop defences along the coast of Wales. Coastal communities facing south and west will also be vulnerable to flooding from waves.
WEATHER ADVICE Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188WEATHER ADVICE Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188
"We are keeping a very close eye on the situation as it develops.""We are keeping a very close eye on the situation as it develops."
People are advised to listen to local weather reports and call the Environment Agency Wales' Floodline on 0845 988 1188.People are advised to listen to local weather reports and call the Environment Agency Wales' Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
Meteogroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said the storm was set to hit the country in two waves, with more bad weather on the way later this week.Meteogroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said the storm was set to hit the country in two waves, with more bad weather on the way later this week.
Rachel Vince, senior forecaster at Meteogroup, said the winds would start to pick up soon after midnight on Sunday, with heavy rain, hail and lightning moving across the country overnight. Rachel Vince, senior forecaster at Meteogroup, said it was unlikely gales would be as strong as in 1987, but the highest winds could topple some trees and damage buildings.
"It's unlikely we could expect gales as strong as the 1987 one," she said.
"Nevertheless, where you do see the strongest winds you could expect some trees to fall and possibly some structural damage to buildings."
The unsettled weather is due to climax on Monday morning, then ease off before worsening again in the evening, with fierce westerly gusts in the west and south of the UK.The unsettled weather is due to climax on Monday morning, then ease off before worsening again in the evening, with fierce westerly gusts in the west and south of the UK.
'Make for shelter''Make for shelter'
The tides - without the surge - are the highest predicted this year.The tides - without the surge - are the highest predicted this year.
Those high tides which affect Wales are predicted at 0752 GMT on Monday at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, 0848 at Newport, 0953 at Barmouth, Gwynedd, and at 1243pm at Liverpool. The actual time of high tide can vary by about an hour either side.Those high tides which affect Wales are predicted at 0752 GMT on Monday at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, 0848 at Newport, 0953 at Barmouth, Gwynedd, and at 1243pm at Liverpool. The actual time of high tide can vary by about an hour either side.
Barry Priddis, watch manager on duty at Holyhead Coastguard, said ships at sea were being advised to make for shelter before the highest winds arrived.Barry Priddis, watch manager on duty at Holyhead Coastguard, said ships at sea were being advised to make for shelter before the highest winds arrived.
"It's almost benign here at the moment, there's not much wind presently," he said on Sunday morning.
"That will change, however, so there is time if you are out there to come into shelter and stay there and let this blow over."
Swansea Coastguard said the wind was expected to go to force 10 or 11. The maximum is force 12.Swansea Coastguard said the wind was expected to go to force 10 or 11. The maximum is force 12.
Monday's 0245 GMT Stena Line ferry across the Irish Sea between Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and Rosslare has been cancelled in advance in anticipation of the weather.Monday's 0245 GMT Stena Line ferry across the Irish Sea between Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and Rosslare has been cancelled in advance in anticipation of the weather.