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80,000 hit by weather power cuts 80,000 hit by weather power cuts
(about 2 hours later)
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).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).
Much of Powys was without electricity, along with parts of Swansea, Neath and Usk valleys, Porthcawl and Pontypool.Much of Powys was without electricity, along with parts of Swansea, Neath and Usk valleys, Porthcawl and Pontypool.
Western Power said a tree hit a cable in Crickhowell, and it brought in extra staff to try to restore supplies.Western Power said a tree hit a cable in Crickhowell, and it brought in extra staff to try to restore supplies.
Thirteen flood warnings were in place, a supermarket had part of its roof blown off and a driver was injured.Thirteen flood warnings were in place, a supermarket had part of its roof blown off and a driver was injured.
In Cardiff the roof partly blew off Michaelston Community College and onto Ely and Caerau Children's Centre.
A contractor told BBC Wales that the roof of the main block of college had been blown onto the children's centre and then smashed onto the ground.
The roof blew onto the nursery and then smashed in the grounds
Pupil Jonathan Dickman, 13, described what happened: "I was down in the PE hall in a dance class and the fire alarm went off.
"All I heard then was a big crash. I looked outside and saw the roof come off."
His stepfather Christopher Dickman, from Pentrebane, Cardiff said he was phoned and told the roof had come off.
"It's a brand new roof. I can't see how it's come off. The school was only up two and a half years. They are lucky there was no-one outside the nursery."
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.
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said the weather will slowly improve through Thursday but more rain and high winds will follow.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.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. 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 and pictures 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.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.In mid Wales Western Power Distribution said customers experienced power cuts since about 0800 GMT caused by cables being hit by winds.
Phil Davies from the company said: "It is something we're going to handle, in atrocious conditions I might add.Phil Davies from the company said: "It is something we're going to handle, in atrocious conditions I might add.
"Our guys are out there climbing poles and trudging across fields to try and find these faults and repair them as quickly as we can.""Our guys are out there climbing poles and trudging across fields to try and find these faults and repair them as quickly as we can."
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 and pictures In Cardiff the roof partly blew off Michaelston Community College and onto Ely and Caerau Children's Centre.
Flooding
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 was due to reopen on Thursday but will now stay closed over the weekend because weather conditions overnight 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 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.
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. Wind tore the roof off this house at Nant Peris, GwyneddA large tree fell across the A4080 at Llanfairpwll on Anglesey.
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 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.
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.
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.
Train cancellations
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.
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.
Gusts reached 74mph at Pembrey, Mumbles, and Valley on Anglesey.Gusts reached 74mph at Pembrey, Mumbles, and Valley on Anglesey.
Meteorologist Derek Brockway said the weather would slowly improve through the rest of the day becoming drier.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.""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.He warned of more wind and rain on Friday, but it would not be as severe.