Flooding: Businesses, homes and transport hit after torrential rain across Wales
Footage showing the force of the weather in Peterston-super-Ely and on the River Taff in Cardiff.
People have been evacuated from their homes in the Rhondda Valley amid widespread flooding in parts of Wales.
It comes after the country was battered by torrential conditions overnight.
Approximately 20 houses in Tylorstown, Ferndale have been affected after half a month’s worth of rain fell in the last 24 hours, with the South Wales valleys hardest hit.
There were reports of flooding at around 5:30am on Thursday in Arfryn Terrace, Tylorstown, according to South Wales Fire and Rescue.
Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre is currently being used as an emergency rest centre for those residents affected by the flooding.
Elsewhere, the River Taff in Cardiff has burst its banks due to the heavy rain.
Bute Park, and neighbouring Pontcanna Fields, are flood plains, intended to flood in these circumstances to protect other areas from the impact, the council said.
“A clean-up will be needed once the floodwater disperses, however this is not expected to be on the same scale as was required following the Storm Denis floods of 2020", it added.
Warnings are being issued across the country following heavy rain and high winds of up to 60mph.
Natural Resources Wales has issued 12 flooding warnings, along parts of The River Severn, River Ely and River Usk, and 29 flood alerts.
Meanwhile, wind speeds have been recorded at 79mph in Aberdaron, Gwynedd.
Motorists were told to avoid the Bwlch Mountain in due to what was described as "treacherous road conditions" at Nant-y-moel in the Ogmore Valley, caused by a blocked culvert, which caused stones and mud to spread across the carriageway.
Members of staff who work at Servini’s Summerhouse cafe along the Taff Trail in Cardiff said they were shocked at the level of flooding.
One of the cafe's workers said: “I personally have never seen it this high. A tree’s gone down not far from us.
“I'm unsure on how bad the flooding has to get until they have to leave.”
“I’m not sure where I’ll get sandbags from.”
A spokesperson from the County Borough Council has said "Council workers are on site to deal with the blockage and clear debris, and have set up temporary traffic lights to assist."
It said some higher ground areas may get 70-90 mm or more of rain, and that downpours could flood properties and cause power cuts.
In Pontypridd, the River Taff also burst its banks. The town was previously hit badly by flooding in February 2020 during Storm Dennis.
Some local businesses, like Clwb y Bont, have been forced to closed to the flooding.
Helen Morgan, Secretary of Clwb y Bont, told ITV Wales she was dreading what she would find inside the building.
She said: "Because of the rain overnight we came down earlier this morning to check on the place and we were really disheartened to see because all of this was flooded here.
You couldn't stand where I'm standing here without wellies on up to your knees."
How unusual is this weather? ITV Wales weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth explains:
"Whilst this weather is unpleasant, it's not unusual for this time of year - but the continual onslaught of rain with little let-up is what has caused flooding and disruption in many places.
"Some places have seen around half a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.
"The wettest place between 7pm yesterday and 10am today was Maerdy in the Rhondda valley, which had 87 mm rainfall, with 68 mm at Storey Arms on the A470 in the Brecon Beacons.
"Many parts of south Wales have already seen over a month’s worth of rain in the first third of January, and North Wales is not too far behind either, with Gwynedd seeing on 149 mm (86% of Jan’s average)."
Travel disruption:
A55 Britannia Bridge - Restrictions remain in place for caravans, motorbikes and bikes
A5 Ceiriog and A483 Dee Viaducts - 30mph speed restrictions in place
A458 between Welshpool and Cyfronydd is affected by flooding. Proceed with care.
A483 Both directions from Coed-y-dinas roundabout to Garth Myl are closed due to flooding.
A470 Llangurig to Rhayader – Closed due to flooding.
A483 Builth Wells - Closed due to flooding.
Suspended service on Transport for Wales trains include:
Between Aberdare and Abercynon due to flooding
Between Pontypridd and Treherbert due to flooding at Llwynypia
Between Heath High Level and Caerphilly due to flooding at Lisvane and Thornhill
Between Bridgend and Barry due to flooding at Llantwit Major
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "With all that wet weather coming in, there are concerns, particularly for those areas that have already seen so much rain across western England and Wales.
"The wettest weather is likely to see 60-80 mm falling across the Brecon Beacons and Exmoor."
It comes after Newport City Council closed a footpath on Wednesday after part of it "collapsed into the River Ebbw".
The Met Office has said further persistent rain will move in on Friday night and into Saturday, with the heaviest rain likely to be further north, including north Wales, northern England and Scotland.
Kelly McLauchlan, Duty Tactical Manager for Natural Resources Wales has said: "We're asking people to check their flood risk on our website which also has a range of useful information on what people can do to prepare for potential flooding.
"Please remember that flood water is extremely dangerous, and people should not attempt to walk or drive through it unless instructed by the emergency services."
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