Clean-up operation continues after severe storms

The Met Office says severe gales are on their way for South Wales.

It says winds will strengthen tonight and peak on Saturday with gusts of up to 80 mph possible.

'The public should be prepared for disruption to transport and locally to power supplies, particularly when combined with the impacts of heavy rainfall.' - Met Office

There are two flood warnings and 10 flood alerts in force.

The Met Office has issued a 'be aware' warning of heavy rain for parts of Wales until late on Saturday.

The areas affected are :

Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhonnda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan and Ceredigion.

There are 19 flood alerts in force.

The severe weather's brought problems with trees down and flooding in places:

• At Newgale the A487 is closed in both directions because of debris on the road and flooding near Welsh Road.

• In Penarth the Esplanade is closed because of flooding and strong winds from Beach Road / Bridgeman Road to Cliff Hill. It's also affecting Beach Road between Rectory Road and the Esplanade and Rectory Road between Stanwell Road and Windsor Terrace.

• Strong winds on the A55 Britannia Bridge mean there's a 30 mph speed limit.
• Strong winds on the M48 Severn Bridge mean a 40 mph speed limit.

The Met Office has issued an Amber 'be prepared' warning of strong winds for South and South West Wales.

Forecasters are predicting speeds of up to 70 mph.

'The public should be prepared for the risk of further disruption to transport and power due to fallen trees. Additionally, dangerously large waves will over top coastlines and bring the risk of further erosion and damage.' - Met Office.

There are four flood warnings and seven flood alerts in force from Anglesey to Gower

Police have closed a road near Hirwaun for safety after several vehicles collided with a fallen tree.

The A465 Heads Of The Valleys Road is closed between A4059 Hirwaun Road / Brecon Road (Hirwaun Roundabout) and B4276 Merthyr Road (Llwydcoed / Baverstocks).

South Wales Fire & Rescue Service said four cars were involved, with four walking wounded and two further casualties.

Police are at the scene, they added, and highways are on their way to clear the road.

Natural Resources Wales is warning heavy rain and strong winds, due to sweep across Wales today and tomorrow, could bring flooding.

It says officers continue to monitor and repair defences along the coast after the weekend's storm.

The Met Office has issued a 'be aware' warning for strong winds.

Aberystwyth University students can return to their halls of residence today after moving out amid concerns over more severe weather.

Around 600 students were relocated on Friday as a precaution.

A high tide and stormy weather on Saturday evening led to some minor damage to basement areas but didn't affect any student bedrooms. Repairs and safety checks have been carried out ahead of the students' return.

It is the second time this month that student residences along the Aberystwyth seafront have been evacuated due to the poor weather.

There are 26 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts in force across Wales, after a weekend of storms and more rain is on the way.

High tides and strong winds battered the Welsh coastline ten people were rescued from a bus at Newgale.

Elsewhere more than 50 mountain rescuers had to battle atrocious weather conditions during an eight-hour rescue in the Cambrian Mountains.

There's a yellow 'be aware' warning of heavy rain for South and South West Wales.

Two trains stranded in Barmouth as a result of the recent storms will be checked by safety experts before being put back into use, according to Arriva Trains Wales.

They are being driven by lorry to the Chester depot.