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High winds and rain sweep Wales 80,000 hit by weather power cuts
(about 1 hour later)
Severe weather is sweeping across Wales, with heavy rain and winds gusting at more than 70 mph (113 km/h). About 80,000 properties have lost power after severe weather swept across Wales, with heavy rain and winds gusting at more than 70 mph (113 kmh).
High winds have brought down power lines and supplies have been hit in parts of Powys closing three schools in Llandrindod Wells and Brecon. Much of Powys was without electricity, along with parts of Swansea, Neath and Usk valleys, Porthcawl and Pontypool.
Asda's supermarket in Llandudno, Conwy, had part of its roof blown off. A man was treated in hospital after his car hit a fallen tree in west Wales. Western Power said a tree hit a cable in Crickhowell, and it brought in extra staff to try to restore supplies.
The Met Office says the gales will continue into the afternoon. Ten flood warnings were in place, a supermarket had part of its roof blown off and a driver was injured.
The Environment Agency in Wales said 10 flood warnings were in force. In Cardiff the roof partly blew off Ely and Caerau Children's Centre in Michaelston Road, Ely and the roof was flapping around in the wind.
Western Power Distribution said mid Wales has been badly affected by power cuts since around 0800 GMT caused by the weather bringing down cables. A contractor told BBC Wales that the roof of the main block of Michaelston Commmunity College had been blown onto the children's centre and then smashed onto the ground.
Many towns in Powys are affected from Rhayader, down through Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Brecon. Both the college and children's centre have been evacuated. The road was closed from the Michaelston roundabout to the junction between Llanover Road and Michaelston Road.
A spokesman for the company said there are no figures yet for the number of homes affected. Engineers are working to try and get the power back on. BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said the weather will slowly improve through Thursday but more rain and high winds will follow.
Scottish Power said around 1,100 of its customers across north Wales were without power. There were numerous faults after power lines have come down or trees fallen across them.
The company said extra staff had been brought in because the forecast had predicted high winds.
Gwynedd and parts of the Dee Valley were worst affected, but there was no estimate for when all customers would be reconnected.
In mid Wales Western Power Distribution said customers experienced power cuts since about 0800 GMT caused by cables being hit by winds.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'll ride through all weathers, but high winds are very dangerous for motorcyclists Anthony, Nant-y-moel Send us your comments and pictures
FloodingFlooding
Shops and cafes in Builth were reported to be closed and Powys Council said Llandrindod High School in Llandrindod Wells, Ysgol Y Bannau and Ysgol Penmaes in Brecon were all closed. Cwmdare Primary School in Aberdare was due to reopen on Thursday but will now stay closed over the weekend because weather conditions overnight further damaged its roof.
Cwmdare Primary School in Aberdare, Cynon Valley was due to reopen on Thursday but will now stay closed over the weekend because weather conditions overnight have further damaged its roof. The Asda store in Llandudno, Conwy was damaged when a 4 ft by 4 ft metal housing for an air conditioning unit blew off and hit a telegraph pole.
The damage at the Asda store in Llandudno was caused when a 4 ft by 4 metal housing for an air conditioning unit blew off and hit a telegraph pole.
North Wales Fire Service said a house in Nant Peris, Gwynedd, lost its roof and chimney in the strong winds.North Wales Fire Service said a house in Nant Peris, Gwynedd, lost its roof and chimney in the strong winds.
A large tree fell across the A4080 at Llanfairpwll on Anglesey.A large tree fell across the A4080 at Llanfairpwll on Anglesey.
There is much travel disruption across Wales. In Denbighshire, Green Lane in Corwen was closed due to flooding while there was a warning that the Ruthin to Llanrhaeadr is only passable with care. The Nant-y-Garth Pass in Denbighshire closed near Llysfasi College but has now reopened.
In Denbighshire, Green Lane in Corwen is closed due to flooding while there is a warning that the Ruthin to Llanrhaeadr is only passable with care. The Nant-y-Garth Pass in Denbighshire closed near Llysfasi College but has now reopened.
A man was treated in hospital after his car crashed into a fallen tree on the A484 in Llangeler, Carmarthenshire.A man was treated in hospital after his car crashed into a fallen tree on the A484 in Llangeler, Carmarthenshire.
Replacement bus service
The A477 Cleddau Bridge, Pembrokeshire, and the original Severn Bridge on the M48 are also closed to traffic.The A477 Cleddau Bridge, Pembrokeshire, and the original Severn Bridge on the M48 are also closed to traffic.
First Great Western said trains between south Wales and London would be disrupted because of flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.First Great Western said trains between south Wales and London would be disrupted because of flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.
Train passengers were warned to expect cancellations and extended journey times.Train passengers were warned to expect cancellations and extended journey times.
In north Wales, Arriva Trains Wales said a replacement bus service was running between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog because the track was flooded at Llanrwst.In north Wales, Arriva Trains Wales said a replacement bus service was running between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog because the track was flooded at Llanrwst.
HAVE YOUR SAY I'll ride through all weathers, but high winds are very dangerous for motorcyclists Anthony, Nant-y-moel href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5231&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey. The Met Office issued a severe weather warning for Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey.
Forecasters said further heavy rain would spread south-east on Thursday morning but would clear in the afternoon. Strong winds would continue until the evening. Gusts reached 74mph at Pembrey, Mumbles, and Valley on Anglesey.
Gusts reached 74mph at Pembrey, Mumbles near Swansea and Valley on Anglesey. Meteorologist Derek Brockway said the weather would slowly improve through the rest of the day becoming drier.
"There may be blustery showers, and still strong to gale force winds will gradually ease. We are looking at a mainly a dry evening as the wind eases."
He warned of more wind and rain on Friday, but it would not be as severe.