Wales waits as storm set to worsen

Mar 10 2008 by Laura Wright, South Wales Echo

A POTENT cocktail of gale force winds, waves and high tides threatened South Wales today.

Severe weather warnings were issued across Wales with coasts and rivers put on flood alert as the region prepared for the worst storm of the winter.

Today up to 3,000 homes in South Wales were without power while the Environment Agency Wales issued flood warnings for seven areas, including Penarth, Barry and Porthcawl.

Walkers were also advised to stay away from the coast and rivers in the region as powerful waves threaten to hit seaside areas.

Flood warnings have been issued for the coasts of Penarth, Barry, Aberthaw, Newton, Porthcawl Tidal and also the River Rhymney and the River Cynon.

The Met Office warned the risk of disruption was 60 per cent in Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, and 40 per cent in Caerphilly, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil.

A spokesman said that the worst of the weather was due to strike during the afternoon rush hour coinciding with high tides.

Up to 3,000 homes in South Wales were without electricity after falling trees crashed through power lines – including about 43 homes in Upper Boat, near Pontypridd, and 30 homes in Brynhill, on the outskirts of Cardiff.

A spokeswoman for Western Power Distribution (WPD) said engineers worked through the night to reconnect homes and they had opened extra offices in readiness for any problems.

Weather forecaster Jonathan Powell warned that up to 40 millimetres of rain was expected in just 18 hours bringing the potential for flash flooding.

HM Coastguard warned people to stay away from coastal areas for fear they will be swept away amid gale-force winds and giant waves.

Swansea Coastguard Andrew Christopher said: “We have had plenty of warning about this weather so it has been prepared for.

“The only danger now is big waves coming into the coast where people tend to go down ‘wave watching’, as long as people are aware of that then they will be safe.”

The RAC is advising drivers to be prepared for hazardous driving conditions over the next few days.

A signalling problem in Bargoed caused trains to be put on hold for an hour this morning with the some services cancelled causing knock-on delays during rush hour.

Train passengers travelling on lines to and from the South of England were being warned that severe weather was causing major disruption and precautionary temporary speed restrictions were in place parts of the rail network leading to increased journey times.

n Send us your pictures of the severe weather in South Wales, email echo.picturedesk@mediawales.co.uk

laura.wright@mediawales.co.uk