People evacuated from homes as Storm Christoph has 'devastating impact' across Wales

  • Watch the video report by Rob Shelley


People have been evacuated from their homes across Wales following a severe flood warning as Storm Christoph brought torrential rain and snow across the country.

North Wales Police had to be called in to help evacuate homes in Ruthin and officers warned people not to make unnecessary journeys, which could add pressure to stretched resources.

In Wrexham, residents were being urged to congregate at Ysgol Sant Dunawd, where emergency services are using 4x4 vehicles to safely evacuate them from the area.

Mark Pritchard, the leader of Wrexham Council, told Sky News emergency services worked "tirelessly through the night" as 20 to 30 senior citizens were taken to temporary accommodation.

A large number of properties in the Skewen area of Neath, south Wales, have been also evacuated. South Wales Police said the emergency services were in attendance in Goshen Park following reports of a large number of properties being evacuated due to flooding.

Neath Port Talbot Council was urging members of the public to avoid the area.

A video posted on social media appeared to show fast-moving water passing people's homes in Goshen Park.

David Rees, Senedd member for the nearby constituency of Aberavon, also urged people to keep away.

He said: "Please avoid Goshen Park in Skewen, as council officers and emergency services are currently dealing with flooding.

"Welsh Water have now ascertained the source of the flooding in Skewen."In a tweet, Mark Drakeford said the storm was continuing to have a "devastating impact".

"Our emergency services are evacuating homes affected by flooding - thank you for keeping our communities safe at this difficult time. Please stay safe everyone."

There are currently 33 flood warnings and 43 flood alerts across Wales.

Dyfed-Powys Police said Powys has been "severely" affected by flooding, particularly in areas between Welshpool and Newtown.

Twitter user Nathan Watkins shared this image of flooding in Carmarthen.

This image posted to social media shows flooding in Carmarthen. Credit: @NathWatkins22 / Twitter

On Wednesday, Gwydir Castle, a historic Welsh house and garden in Conwy Valley, was hit by serious flooding again after being badly affected by Storms Dennis and Ciara last year.

Ruthin Mayor Cllr Gavin Harris told ITV News residents were shocked after being flooded, despite flood defences being built in the area.

"People are shocked initially, I'm sure there will be some anger actually because for some of them it's the third incidence that this has happened," he said.

"When you've got flood defences in place and things, people expect them to work, so there will have to be some kind of investigation", he added.

"I wouldn't second guess what the failure has been but there will need to be some improvement to see that that community is protected once again by the flood defences that have been put in in the past."

Flooding also affected parts of south Wales including Canal Side, Port Talbot, an area previously hit by flooding during Storm Dennis.

Aberllefenni in Gwynedd had the highest rainfall total in the UK with 187.8mm rain falling since January 19 and 21.

The Met Office has warned that cold weather on Thursday could bring icy patches, with a risk of more flooding.