Storm Francis causes landslides and homes to be evacuated
Storm Francis has caused damage across Wales including landslides, fallen trees and travel disruption over the last 24 hours.
Wind speeds broke August records in parts of Wales and England as the storm hit with strong gusts and heavy rain.
The Met Office said gusts of 74mph have been recorded at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys – the highest August gust there since 1994.
A number of homes and businesses have been flooded, along with several roads being forced to close and many train services suspended or delayed.
North Wales Police said the River Ogwen in Bethesda burst its banks in some areas, requiring a number of homes to be evacuated.
In Beddgelert, both Rivers Glaslyn and Colwyn caused some flooding in the town and about five houses were rescued by boat, the fire and rescue service said.
In Abergwyngregyn near Bangor, homes were flooded and one woman had to be evacuated in a tractor.
Patricia Brown was alerted by neighbours who told her to leave her home as quickly as possible after flooding hit their homes.
''I was terrified to be honest,'' she said.
''My house is absolutely wrecked.
''The kitchen, everything is ruined. The carpet and the lounge, all ruined.''
A stretch of road between Bethesda and Betws-y-Coed is closed after a landslide caused by Storm Francis.
The A5 is closed in both directions after the incident which covered the road with debris and caused flooding.
Emergency services have resumed their search of the River Taff in Cardiff after reports of a person entering the water near the Principality Stadium.
South Wales Police had been searching the river throughout yesterday but due to the adverse weather conditions, searches of the water had been stood down.
30 campers and 12 caravans had to be evacuated from a caravan park in Wiseman's Bridge in Narberth on Tuesday. A man was also given medical treatment at the site.
Nine people and two dogs have been rescued from a flooded camp site near St Clears. Fire crews from Whitland, Carmarthen and Swansea Central were called just before 7:00 on Tuesday, 25 August.
People who live near coastal areas have also been warned to take extra care.
A historic Grade I-listed house in the Conwy valley has been hit by severe flooding.
Gwydir Castle, near Llanwrst, is regarded as one of the finest Tudor homes in Wales.
Co-owner Judy Corbett said the house is hit by devastating floods every year.
She said: "Like so many others, we're being battered by floods and high winds tonight.
"We've had floods before in August but not like this. The ferocity of the water is frightening."
Mile End Service Station in Neath experienced flooding on the road, but the garage has since reopened after help from the fire brigade.
Elsewhere there have been numerous incidents of people getting into difficulties in river waters with emergency services searching parts of the River Taff in Cardiff after reports of a person entering the water
In Neath, Catherine Jones, general manager at Redbook Accounting, came in to work to find her accountancy building flooded - for the second time. She described the scenes as devastating.“I’m lost for words, you don’t expect to come into the office and find this. We were also flooded in November. We can’t keep going through this every eight to nine months.''
Jamie Smith's garage was damaged after flooding overnight.
He had been planning to open his new car garage at the end of this month but the estimated £4,000 worth of damage has put him back to square one.
The Met Office has warned to expect the bad weather to continue and the weather warning has been upgraded to amber. Mumbles Head recorded the strongest gust so far at 59mph, but winds will continue to strengthen through the late afternoon.
This comes just days after Storm Ellen brought winds of more than 60mph to the Welsh coast.
Two pumps being are being used to lower water levels at a reservoir outside Llanelli. Carmarthenshire Council say they are "lowering water levels at Tre-Beddrod Reservoir (Furnace Pond) in Llanelli, following a routine inspection because of the heavy rainfall.
The adverse weather has also caused disruption to travel across the country.
People who use the New Inn Road in Bridgend are being advised to find a different route because the road is flooded at Dipping Bridge. South Wales Police have said the water there is knee deep.
A fallen tree also caused disruption on St Fagans Road, Cardiff with traffic delays in the area.
Transport for Wales has reported delays to trains and some line closures across Wales due to flooding and severe weather.
The rail netwok said all trains running between Craven Arms and Llandrindod are suspended due to flooding. The heavy rain resulted to a landslip, which has washed away the track bed.
Services have been suspended between Welshpool and Machynlleth due to a fallen tree on the line.
Trains between between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead are delayed and road replacement transport is in place.
Further disruption on the rail has been caused by flooding between Abercynon and Aberdare while a fallen tree at Llanbradach closed the line between Caerphilly and Rhymney.
People are being advised to check their journey for disruptions before they set out.
The team that runs the Severn Bridges said they are prepared for high winds throughout the day.
Natural Resources Wales have issued three flood warnings, which mean flooding is expected, and 16 flood alerts for parts of south west Wales. There are five other flood alerts in place across north and south east areas of the country.