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Flood chaos hits homes and roads Flood chaos hits homes and roads
(40 minutes later)
Heavy rain has led to hundreds of flood calls across south and west Wales, with the rail and road network badly hit.Heavy rain has led to hundreds of flood calls across south and west Wales, with the rail and road network badly hit.
South Wales fire service is under "extreme pressure" with incidents including a woman and and her nephew trapped at Ynysboeth, Cynon Valley. South Wales fire service is under "extreme pressure" with incidents, having dealt with 410 flooding calls since 0900 BST.
Main roads were hit in the south Wales valleys and landslips affected seven Rhymney and Gwent valley villages.Main roads were hit in the south Wales valleys and landslips affected seven Rhymney and Gwent valley villages.
Rail passengers were advised not to travel, while Bridgend council staff were evacuated from their offices.Rail passengers were advised not to travel, while Bridgend council staff were evacuated from their offices.
There are now 32 Environment Agency flood warnings in place, most of them in Wales, and two severe warnings for the rivers Rhymney and Taff. There are now 32 Environment Agency flood warnings across Wales, two of them severe warnings for the rivers Rhymney and Taff.
There were also weather warnings in place for many parts of England, with heavy rain affecting central, southern and south-western areas. The Met Office also has a severe weather warning in place with more localised flooding expected.
BBC weather forecaster Liam Dutton said almost 1.5 inches (38.1mm) of rain had fallen in parts of mid Wales between midnight and 1500 BST, with Lake Vyrnwy in Powys recording rainfall of 33.8mm and Sennybridge 32.8mm.BBC weather forecaster Liam Dutton said almost 1.5 inches (38.1mm) of rain had fallen in parts of mid Wales between midnight and 1500 BST, with Lake Vyrnwy in Powys recording rainfall of 33.8mm and Sennybridge 32.8mm.
FLOODING AT A GLANCE Woman and baby trapped in house, Cynon valleyTrains disrupted Cardiff-Swansea, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly27 flood warnings on rivers in south and west WalesAmmanford, Burry Port, parts of Pembrokeshire and Rhondda and Cynon valleys particularly affectedA470 closed southbound between the Abercynon roundabout and the Pontypridd junctionsLandslips in several areas; a 8ft (2.4m) wall collapsed in PontypriddWoman driver in floodwater under bridge, Dowlais4x4 driver trapped crossing ford, River Rhiw, near WelshpoolStena Line's 0855 BST and 1500 BST sailings cancelled, Holyhead FLOODING AT A GLANCE Woman and baby trapped in house, Cynon valleyTrains disrupted Cardiff-Swansea, Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly32 flood warnings on rivers in south and west WalesAmmanford, Burry Port, parts of Pembrokeshire and Rhondda and Cynon valleys particularly affectedA470 closed for hours southbound between the Abercynon roundabout and the Pontypridd junctionsLandslips in several areas; a 8ft (2.4m) wall collapsed in PontypriddWoman driver in floodwater under bridge, Dowlais4x4 driver trapped crossing ford, River Rhiw, near WelshpoolStena Line's 0855 BST and 1500 BST sailings cancelled, Holyhead
Bridgend Council declared a major incident and evacuated staff from its civic offices opposite the Ogmore river.Bridgend Council declared a major incident and evacuated staff from its civic offices opposite the Ogmore river.
Senior managers weremoved to offices on Bridgend Industrial Estate and businesses in the town centre are being contacted about the risk of flooding. Senior managers were moved to offices on Bridgend Industrial Estate and businesses in the town centre are being contacted about the risk of flooding.
Police say Cardiff Road in Treforest near Pontypridd is being closed because of the rising river Taff. Thirty properties have been evacuated in Rhydyfelin near Pontypridd because of the risk of flooding from the River Taff.
The street runs along the riverbank near an old iron footbridge across the river. Water is rising up to the bridge which is being swamped by debris washed downstream and the public are being warned to avoid the area. Residents of A4054 Cardiff Road/Castle Street were moved to temporary accommodation at Hawthorn Leisure Centre.
Nearby Hawthorn leisure centre is being used as a support station for people affected. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council also said 12 houses in Nantyfedw, Abercynon have been evacuated and the residents have been moved to the local day centre.
ManholeManhole
South Wales Fire Service said it had received more than 350 flood-related calls in a six hour period on Friday, many of them for people stranded in flood water.South Wales Fire Service said it had received more than 350 flood-related calls in a six hour period on Friday, many of them for people stranded in flood water.
It was particularly busy in the Abercynon, Treforest and the Glyncoch area of Pontypridd, Church Village and Llantrisant and the Aberbargoed to Abercarn area.It was particularly busy in the Abercynon, Treforest and the Glyncoch area of Pontypridd, Church Village and Llantrisant and the Aberbargoed to Abercarn area.
Six terraced houses in a street in Ynysboeth, near Abercynon, have been flooded with 4ft (1.2m) of water, after a culvert and a manhole both burst due to pressure of water this morning.Six terraced houses in a street in Ynysboeth, near Abercynon, have been flooded with 4ft (1.2m) of water, after a culvert and a manhole both burst due to pressure of water this morning.
Deanne Palmer was in a house with her nephew when a torrent of water passed the window, and she had to carry the boy on her shoulders to a neighbour's house for safety.Deanne Palmer was in a house with her nephew when a torrent of water passed the window, and she had to carry the boy on her shoulders to a neighbour's house for safety.
Fire crews in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire were also called to incidents.Fire crews in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire were also called to incidents.
TrainsTrains
Arriva Trains Wales services between Cardiff and Treherbert were stopped following a landslip in the Trehafod area, with no estimate for when they will resume.Arriva Trains Wales services between Cardiff and Treherbert were stopped following a landslip in the Trehafod area, with no estimate for when they will resume.
There are no services to Treherbert and Aberdare and all trains are terminating at Pontypridd.There are no services to Treherbert and Aberdare and all trains are terminating at Pontypridd.
The company says all services are severely disrupted and there are no services between Cardiff and Bridgend, although services to Merthyr Tydfil were running again by mid afternoon.The company says all services are severely disrupted and there are no services between Cardiff and Bridgend, although services to Merthyr Tydfil were running again by mid afternoon.
Ebbw valley line services are not running between Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale Parkway and services on the Rhymney Valley are severely disrupted.Ebbw valley line services are not running between Cross Keys and Ebbw Vale Parkway and services on the Rhymney Valley are severely disrupted.
The Afon Llwyd river overflowing in Cwmbran, south WalesThe Afon Llwyd river overflowing in Cwmbran, south Wales
An 8ft (2.4m) wall collapsed in Park Street, Pontypridd, while at Dowlais, Merthyr, a woman was rescued from a car under a bridge. A number of pubs have reported water in cellars.An 8ft (2.4m) wall collapsed in Park Street, Pontypridd, while at Dowlais, Merthyr, a woman was rescued from a car under a bridge. A number of pubs have reported water in cellars.
A number of main roads between Pontypridd and the Rhondda and Cynon valleys, as well as the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and A470 between Pontypridd and Abercynon were also flood-affected.A number of main roads between Pontypridd and the Rhondda and Cynon valleys, as well as the A465 Heads of the Valleys road and A470 between Pontypridd and Abercynon were also flood-affected.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said Burry Port, Saundersfoot and the Tenby areas were particularly badly affected.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said Burry Port, Saundersfoot and the Tenby areas were particularly badly affected.
They were also called to incidents in Ammanford, Neath, Carmarthen, Narberth, Cardigan and New Quay.They were also called to incidents in Ammanford, Neath, Carmarthen, Narberth, Cardigan and New Quay.
In Powys, emergency rest centres were set up at leisure centres in Brecon and Newtown for people unable to make it back home.In Powys, emergency rest centres were set up at leisure centres in Brecon and Newtown for people unable to make it back home.
Powys Council said buses which pick up pupils in Brecon have been unable to get through to all the schools.Powys Council said buses which pick up pupils in Brecon have been unable to get through to all the schools.
Children are being taken to the leisure centre until the authorities can be sure the roads are safe to travel on.Children are being taken to the leisure centre until the authorities can be sure the roads are safe to travel on.
The A40 was closed in both directions between Brecon and Sennybridge.The A40 was closed in both directions between Brecon and Sennybridge.
See footage taken from the RAF rescue helicopter of the car trapped in the flood (Footage courtesy of RAF Valley, Anglesey)See footage taken from the RAF rescue helicopter of the car trapped in the flood (Footage courtesy of RAF Valley, Anglesey)
Substantial surface water was reported on roads in Pembrokeshire after a heavy downpour, which forced Broad Haven Primary School to close.Substantial surface water was reported on roads in Pembrokeshire after a heavy downpour, which forced Broad Haven Primary School to close.
Ferry firm Stena Line has cancelled its 0855 BST and 1500 BST sailings from Holyhead, Anglesey.Ferry firm Stena Line has cancelled its 0855 BST and 1500 BST sailings from Holyhead, Anglesey.
The gay and lesbian festival Cardiff Pride 2008, due to be held on Saturday, has had to pull out of Coopers Field, which is waterlogged.The gay and lesbian festival Cardiff Pride 2008, due to be held on Saturday, has had to pull out of Coopers Field, which is waterlogged.
Organisers and council officials agreed to a scaled-down version in the city's Churchill Way in the form of a street party starting at 1200 BST.Organisers and council officials agreed to a scaled-down version in the city's Churchill Way in the form of a street party starting at 1200 BST.
However, the Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool, due to start on Friday evening, was cancelled.However, the Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool, due to start on Friday evening, was cancelled.
Two of the marquees were reportedly under 4in (10 cm) of water. Torfaen Council staff were working to dismantle the marquees before the weather became any worse.Two of the marquees were reportedly under 4in (10 cm) of water. Torfaen Council staff were working to dismantle the marquees before the weather became any worse.
Around 50 acts, including veteran pianist Stan Tracey, were due to appear.Around 50 acts, including veteran pianist Stan Tracey, were due to appear.
TrappedTrapped
Meanwhile, next Thursday's Chepstow races meeting and the Usk Show, due to be held on 13 September, were both cancelled in advance due to ground conditions.Meanwhile, next Thursday's Chepstow races meeting and the Usk Show, due to be held on 13 September, were both cancelled in advance due to ground conditions.
The delays and disruption come after a motorist became trapped in his 4x4 in the River Rhiw near Welshpool on Thursday. He was rescued by an RAF helicopter.The delays and disruption come after a motorist became trapped in his 4x4 in the River Rhiw near Welshpool on Thursday. He was rescued by an RAF helicopter.
The 60-year-old had been trying to cross a ford when he became stranded.The 60-year-old had been trying to cross a ford when he became stranded.
The stormy start to September follows the wettest August in Wales since 1992.The stormy start to September follows the wettest August in Wales since 1992.
Environment Agency Wales said rivers are "unseasonably high" following the recent rainfall and emergency services are on alert as Wales could feel the brunt of the first of the autumn storms.Environment Agency Wales said rivers are "unseasonably high" following the recent rainfall and emergency services are on alert as Wales could feel the brunt of the first of the autumn storms.
'Rivers''Rivers'
John Mosedale, flood risk manager for Environment Agency Wales, said: "I think the summer has been very unusual. John Mosedale, flood risk manager for Environment Agency Wales, said: "We have had over four inches (of rain) in the last 48 hours which is why the rivers have been so high.
"In my 30 years of dealing with floods, this is the worst in my recollection in being so miserable and damp, but it really has kept the rivers pretty much topped up to a point we would expect to be getting around October time. "We did now heavy rain was coming, but the difficulty is know when and where it was going to fall."
"So to get them this early in the year is quite unusual. Heavy rainfall in September is not that unusual."
A flooded marquee at Pontypool, where the town's jazz festival was forced to cancelA flooded marquee at Pontypool, where the town's jazz festival was forced to cancel
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