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Heavy rain brings flooding calls Heavy rain brings flooding calls
(20 minutes later)
Heavy rain has led to hundreds of flood calls across Wales including a woman and baby trapped in a house with water 5ft (1.5m) deep outside.Heavy rain has led to hundreds of flood calls across Wales including a woman and baby trapped in a house with water 5ft (1.5m) deep outside.
South Wales fire service said it was "under extreme pressure" with incidents including that of the woman and child at Ynysyboeth, Cynon valley. South Wales fire service said it was "under extreme pressure" with incidents including that of the woman and child at Ynysboeth, Cynon valley.
Gwent Police has warned against driving in the Rhymney and Sirhowy valleys after landslides in seven communities.Gwent Police has warned against driving in the Rhymney and Sirhowy valleys after landslides in seven communities.
A jazz festival and the Cardiff Pride event have been cancelled due to rain.
Environment Agency Wales said five flood warnings were in place.Environment Agency Wales said five flood warnings were in place.
There were also weather warnings in place for many parts of England, with heavy rain affecting central, southern and south-western areas.There were also weather warnings in place for many parts of England, with heavy rain affecting central, southern and south-western areas.
The warnings for south and west Wales came as South Wales fire service said it was particularly busy in the Abercyon, Treforest and the Glyncoch area of Pontypridd, Church Village and Llantrisant and the Aberbargoed to Abercarn area. Landslip
FLOODING AT A GLANCE Woman and baby trapped in house, Cynon valleyTrains disrupted Cardiff-Swansea, Ebbw Vale and CaerphillyFive 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 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
The warnings for south and west Wales came as South Wales fire service said it was particularly busy in the Abercynon, Treforest and the Glyncoch area of Pontypridd, Church Village and Llantrisant and the Aberbargoed to Abercarn area.
Fire crews in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire were also called to incidents.Fire crews in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire were also called to incidents.
FLOODING AT A GLANCE Woman and baby trapped in house, Cynon valleyTrains disrupted Cardiff-Swansea, Ebbw Vale and CaerphillyFive flood warnings on rivers in south and west WalesAmmanford, Burry Port, parts of Pembrokeshire and Rhondda and Cynon valleys particularly affectedLandslips in several areas; a 8ft wall collapsed in PontypriddWoman driver in floodwater under bridge, Dowlias4x4 driver trapped crossing ford, River Rhiw, near WelshpoolStena Line's 0855 BST and 1500 BST sailings cancelled, Holyhead Arriva train services between Cardiff and Treherbert have been stopped following a landslip in the Trehafod area, with no estimate for when they were to resume.
Arriva Trains ran buses between Cardiff and Bridgend on Friday morning when the line was closed due to flooding until around 0830 GMT. The rail firm ran buses between Cardiff and Bridgend on Friday morning when the line was closed due to flooding, until around 0830 GMT.
Buses also replaced trains to Ebbw Vale, which could only reach Newbridge, along with Caerphilly services hit by a tunnel flooding. Trains to Ebbw Vale had to stop at Newbridge and were replaced by buses, as were services to Caerphilly when a tunnel was hit by flooding.
An 8ft wall collapsed in Park Street, Pontypridd, while at Dowlais, Merthyr, a woman was rescued from a car under a bridge. A number of pubs reported water in cellars.An 8ft wall collapsed in Park Street, Pontypridd, while at Dowlais, Merthyr, a woman was rescued from a car under a bridge. A number of pubs reported water in cellars.
Roads between Pontypridd and the Rhondda and Cynon valleys were flood-affected.Roads between Pontypridd and the Rhondda and Cynon valleys were flood-affected.
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.
John Mosedale, flood risk manager for Environment Agency Wales, said the rivers had not risen as much overnight as they might but there was still a risk of localised flooding.
He said: "I think the summer has been very unusual.
"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.
"So to get them this early in the year is quite unusual. Heavy rainfall in September is not that unusual."
Network Rail workers spent the night pumping out the floodwater at the two locations in St Fagans and Pontyclun to reopen the rail line to Cardiff.Network Rail workers spent the night pumping out the floodwater at the two locations in St Fagans and Pontyclun to reopen the rail line to Cardiff.
First Great Western began some London-bound trains from Cardiff instead of Swansea.First Great Western began some London-bound trains from Cardiff instead of Swansea.
The floodwater came from the River Ely and Network Rail said staff were monitoring the situation to ensure they could react quickly if it flooded again.The floodwater came from the River Ely and Network Rail said staff were monitoring the situation to ensure they could react quickly if it flooded again.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said Burry Port, Saunderfoot and the Tenby areas were particularly badly affected.Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said Burry Port, Saunderfoot 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.
Substantial surface water was reported on roads in Pembrokeshire after a heavy downpour, which forced Broad Haven Primary School to close due to flooding.Substantial surface water was reported on roads in Pembrokeshire after a heavy downpour, which forced Broad Haven Primary School to close due to flooding.
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)
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.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has warned people to not drive, walk or play in flooded areas and to keep an eye on elderly neighbours. The gay and lesbian festival Cardiff Pride 2008, due to be held on Saturday, cancelled its showpiece event because Coopers Field is waterlogged. But there are hopes of some events being held at other venues in the city.
The Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool, due to start tonight, was cancelled. The Jazz in the Park festival in Pontypool, due to start on Friday evening, was cancelled earlier.
Two of the marquees are reportedly under four inches of water. Torfaen Council staff are currently working to dismantle the marquees before the weather gets any worse. Two of the marquees were reportedly under 4 ins (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.
Trapped
Meanwhile, the Usk Show, due to be held on 13 September has been cancelled due to the bad weather and current ground conditions.Meanwhile, the Usk Show, due to be held on 13 September has been cancelled due to the bad weather and current ground conditions.
The delays and disruption followed on from a motorist becoming trapped in his 4x4 in the River Rhiw near Welshpool on Thursday and being 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 and being 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.
BBC weather forecaster Liam Dutton said to expect a band of heavy rain lasting between four and five hours starting on Friday morning, along with strong winds and hill fog.BBC weather forecaster Liam Dutton said to expect a band of heavy rain lasting between four and five hours starting on Friday morning, along with strong winds and hill fog.
Up to 2ins (50mm) of rain was expected by lunchtime.Up to 2ins (50mm) of rain was expected by lunchtime.
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.
'Rivers'
John Mosedale, flood risk manager for Environment Agency Wales, said: "I think the summer has been very unusual.
"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.
"So to get them this early in the year is quite unusual. Heavy rainfall in September is not that unusual."