Thu. Dec 26th, 2024
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BBC A fallen tree hangs over a wall alongside a main road that a range rover is driving downBBC

A fallen tree on the way into Bala, Gwynedd

Storm Bert is causing disruption across Wales, with weather warnings in place for high winds and heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday.

The Met Office said wind gusts of 82mph (130km/hr) were recorded at Capel Curig in Conwy county, with gusts of up to 60mph (96km/hr) expected inland and up to 70mph (113km/hr) in coastal areas.

In Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen, Denbighshire, five adults and five children were rescued from a house after a landslide at about 14:00 GMT. Police have closed off the area around the slip.

The National Grid said thousands of properties were left without power in south and west Wales.

Across Wales, people have been advised to prepare for potential flooding, compounded by melting snow, with up to 150mm (6in) of rain possible.

Natural Resources Wales has issued a number of flood warnings, while dozens of flood alerts are in place.

Near the site of the landslide Jonathan Greatorex, the landlord of The Hand at Llanarmon pub, said the emergency services had left.

“The community has been amazing and rallied round to support the family at what must be a deeply difficult time,” he said.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “Storm Bert is what we call a multi-hazard event, bringing snow, rain and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend.

A flood affects a narrow country road surrounded by hedges in Pembrokeshire

Localised flooding affected routes like this in Mynachlog-ddu, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday morning

“It’s expected to develop during Saturday morning across the southwest, becoming particularly heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday.”

He said 50-75mm (2-2.9in) of “particularly heavy and persistent rain is expected to fall fairly widely and the rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend may bring flooding for some”.

Danwheatley | BBC Weather Watchers River level almost reaching the roof of a road bridge at Beddgelert, GwyneddDanwheatley | BBC Weather Watchers

The swollen river at Beddgelert in Gwynedd on Saturday

A yellow weather warning for rain is in force across Wales until 06:00 on Sunday.

There is also a yellow weather warning for strong winds in place until 21:00 on Sunday for Anglesey, Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

Nadezna / BBC Weather Watchers Waves hitting the sea wall at Porthcawl in Bridgend county against a grey skyNadezna / BBC Weather Watchers

The waves at Porthcawl, Bridgend county

Some rail services have already been disrupted.

The Conwy Valley and Heart of Wales lines – which run from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Swansea to Shropshire, via Carmarthenshire and Powys, respectively – will be closed on Saturday and Sunday because of the storm’s expected impact.

Replacement road transport will be in place for the duration.

Other lines are so far operating as normal, but passengers have been advised to check before they travelled.

On the roads, the M48 Severn Bridge has been closed in both directions due to strong winds.

National Highways has advised motorists to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

This has led to about four miles of traffic jams on the M4 west of J20-22.

And speed restrictions are in place on the A55 Britannia Bridge between Anglesey and the mainland.

Irish Ferries’ Saturday crossings between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare have been cancelled and Stena Line’s services between Fishguard and Rosslare.

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