Storm Pierrick has brought heavy rain and high winds to parts of Wales in the wake of Storm Kathleen. On Tuesday morning (April 9), Natural Resources Wales had 13 flood warnings and 23 flood alerts in place, mainly in coastal areas.
There was also a Met Office weather warning for wind in place until 3pm. It said: "A spell of strong winds blowing from the northwest will affect this region on Tuesday. Initially arriving across southwest Wales, in the early hours of Tuesday, and reaching north Wales and northwest England during Tuesday morning."
It was predicted that gusts would reach 40-50mph widely, with 60 or 65mph gusts expected for exposed coasts of west Wales overnight.
In Pembrokeshire, Dyfed-Powys Police urged motorists to avoid the area around the A487 at Penycwm after it was closed due to surface water. A landslide has closed the A4067 at Ystradgynlais and there are speed restrictions on the M48 Severn Crossing.
In England, more than 200 people have been evacuated in West Sussex after the River Arun burst its banks, amid warnings that "flooding may increase" throughout Tuesday.
The evacuations included around 180 people rescued overnight from Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley and around 15 from Ferry Road and Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex County Council said. One person showing signs of hypothermia was taken to hospital.
The council said evacuations of "around 20 people" were under way on Tuesday morning from Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club.
On the Great Western Railway, flooding between Clifton Down and Severn Beach means all lines are closed as water has risen above the tracks on the branch line.
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "We're continuing with one area of low pressure after another, which is mainly down to the fact that the jet stream is a bit further south than it would normally be at this time of year."
One flood warning and 19 flood alerts in place
There is currently flood warning and 19 flood alerts in place across Wales.
The one flood warning is for the River Towy at Carmarthen Quay in Carmarthen, which has been issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) since 8.58am this morning.
The 19 flood alerts are:
River Dee communities from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows
Usk Estuary
Wye Estuary in Monmouthshire
River Alyn at Rossett
Alyn catchment
Lower Severn catchment in Powys
Glaslyn and Dwyryd catchment
North Gwynedd catchment
Lower Towy
Upper Towy
Swansea Bay and the Gower coast
River Wye in Powys
Lower Dee catchment
Lower Teifi
Ceredigion coast between Clarach and Cardigan
Carmarthenshire coast
Tidal area at Crofty
Pembrokeshire coast
Rivers Wye and Monnow in Monmouthshire
Van almost washed off harbour by huge wave in dramatic video
This is the dramatic moment a van was almost washed off a harbour as Storm Kathleen battered Wales. Tenby Boat Trips, which runs wildlife-focused sightseeing trips in the area, was monitoring its boats via webcam during the rough weather on Saturday, April 6, at 4pm, when they had a shock. Read more here.
Railway between two locations in north Wales closed due to river flooding
The railway is closed between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog in north Wales due to river flooding washing out the stones that support the track.
The line will be shut until further notice, according to Network Rail, while they carry out emergency repairs.
They have apologised for the disruption.
A4067 in Powys will be closed for a 'number of days' due to landslide
In a traffic update, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that the A4067 from Ystradgynlais to Cray will remain closed.
The road was closed due to a landslide and is set to remain closed for a "number of days", the police force has said. Diversions are in place.
The force has also advised motorists to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their journey.
TRAFFIC UPDATE
— Heddlu Dyfed-Powys Police (@DyfedPowys) April 9, 2024
A4067 - Ystradgynlais to Cray
The road remains closed due to a landslide and is expected to remain closed for a number of days.
Diversions are in place.
Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.
Thank you. pic.twitter.com/RqdDvXdfpt
What will the weather look like tonight?
According to the Met Office, it will largely be dry in parts of Wales tonight. Here's the full forecast for this evening:
It will stay largely dry during the evening with lighter winds and some lengthy clear spells. Overnight, cloud will increase from the west, with rain reaching the west coast later. Minimum temperature 4 °C."
Localised flooding in Llanfairfechan
There has been localised flooding in Llanfairfechan in the county borough of Conwy today.
Natural Resources Wales issued a flood warning for the area, predicting there would be a high tide is at 11.45am. The tide level was also expected to reach 4.61 metres above sea level.
Photos from photographer Chris Owen shows that the waves have overtopped the promenade. and caused localised flooding.
Flooding causes train delays
There are some issues on the trains because of flooding:
- Buses run instead of trains on Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales between Crewe and Chester and service suspended between Chester and Bangor due to flooding.
- Service suspended on Transport for Wales between LLandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog due to flooding.
- Delays of up to ten minutes on Transport for Wales between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth due to flooding.
Properties in evacuated
Fire crews have been busy across north Wales dealing with today's flooding incidents.
A crew is currently at Sandy Cove, Kinmel Bay, helping with the evacuation of affected properties.
The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.: "We have also been in attendance on Shore Road, Llanfairfechan, responding to reports of a woman stuck in her vehicle in floodwater.
"Officers and crews are currently in attendance on the promenade assessing reports of flooding.
"In addition, earlier today a man was walked to safety by crews after his vehicle got stuck in floodwater in Acrefair, Wrexham.
"We were also called to a woman stuck in her vehicle in floodwater in Llafynydd, Flintshire. Members of the public are advised to stay away from fast-flowing watercourses and not to drive through flooded roads."
Two accident on Prince of Wales Bridge
There have been two accidents on the Prince of Wales Bridge on Tuesday afternoon.
One lane is closed westbound and there are delays back to junction 23 after an accident eastbound. Traffic cameras show long delays in the area.
Conwy road 'impassable'
Traffic monitoring system Inrix is reporting that the A548 in both directions is impassable due to flooding between Llanfairtalhaiarn (Llanfairtalhaiarn) and Petnre Isaf.
Flooding coming over sea defences
There is a warning that flooding is coming over sea defences on the A55 in north wales.
One lane has been closed eastbound at Penmaenbach Headland because of the amount of water on the carriageway.
More than 200 evacuated
More than 200 people have been evacuated in West Sussex after the River Arun burst its banks, amid warnings that "flooding may increase" throughout Tuesday.
The evacuations included around 180 people rescued overnight from Medmerry Holiday Park in Earnley and around 15 from Ferry Road and Rope Walk in Littlehampton, West Sussex County Council said.
One person showing signs of hypothermia was taken to hospital.
The council said evacuations of "around 20 people" were under way on Tuesday morning from Bracklesham Caravan and Boat Club.
Town 'devastated' by flooding
A business owner from Littlehampton in England said one area of the town has been "devastated" by flooding after her parents, in their 70s, were evacuated from their home in the early hours of Tuesday.
Christine Coe, 54, the owner of Rita's Diner in Rope Walk, said her premises were "luckily" untouched by the flood water but the situation was "very bad", and her husband's workshops, where he runs a classic car business, were "underwater".
She told the PA news agency: "Rope Walk is devastated. My parents are in their 70s, they live just off Rope Walk, and they are both shocked and dealing with being evacuated in the early hours of the morning.
"I've spoken with them, they're staying with family at the moment, but they can't come back to their bungalow because it's underwater."
Here are some of the scenes:
Prepare for coastal flooding alert
Natural Resources Wales is urging people living near or visiting the Welsh coast to be prepared for coastal flooding impacts today and tomorrow.
The warning comes as strong wind and large waves could cause a storm surge that could cause overtopping of defences in places.
If you live near to, or are visiting a coastal area, please take extra care and keep a safe distance from coastal paths and promenades which may be affected by strong winds and spray.
Wind restrictions on bridges
One lane closed due to strong winds on M48 Severn Bridge in both directions between J2 A466 Wye Valley Link Road (Chepstow) and J1 A403 (Aust). Matrix sign set to 40 mph.
A lane is closed in each directions for safety in case vehicles get blown into adjacent lanes.
There are also restrictions on the Britannia Bridge.
Met Office forecast for Wales
Met Office forecast for Wales this week says: Wet and very windy this morning. Improving this afternoon.
Tuesday:
The morning starts very wet and very windy, with gales in exposed areas. The rain will slowly move away to the northeast, allowing skies to brighten. The afternoon will be mostly dry with lengthening sunny spells, and winds will ease. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
Tonight:
It will stay largely dry during the evening with lighter winds and some lengthy clear spells. Overnight, cloud will increase from the west, with rain reaching the west coast later. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
Wednesday:
Early brightness in the east will soon fade as wet and windy weather sweeps across the country once again from the west. A cloudy, windy and damp afternoon will follow. Maximum temperature 14 °C.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Wind and rain on Wednesday night should give way to a brighter, breezy day on Thursday. Thereafter it will stay breezy with patchy rain, although with warm sunny spells too.
Flooding on the A5
Traffic monitoring system Inrix is reporting that the A5 is partially blocked in both directions.
It is blocked between Capel Curig to Pont Pen-Y-Benglog.
Weather could impact driving conditions
There has been a warning to check weather conditions as it is likely to have an impact on travel today. Here's the warning for north Wales:
Tidal flood warnings in place
Natural Rescources Wales says:
Tidal flood warnings are in place for the Wye Estuary between 8 and 8.30 this morning, and for between 11am and 12.30pm at Ffynnongroyw, Kinmel Bay, Llanddulas and Llanfairfechan. due to the high Spring Tide and strong winds.
Heavy traffic on main Cardiff route
There is heavy congestion on one of the main roads in and out of Cardiff.
There are not accidents or incidents to report but there are delays in both directions on the A4232 this morning.
Flood alert on main road
A flood alert has been issued for the A5 in north Wales.
Traffic Wales North says they have had had reports of heavy flooding in Capel Curig / Betws-y-Coed.
A statement said: "Please take care if you are travelling in the area."
M4 congestion near Swansea
Traffic Wales is warning of congestion on the M4.
It is particularly bad travelling westbound junction 40 Taibach to junction 41 Pentyla/Baglan and travelling eastbound between junction 41 Pentyla/Baglan and junction 40 Taibach.
More than 100 people evacuated from holiday park
More than 100 people have been evacuated from a holiday park in England because of flooding.
The fire service said they were dealing with a “severe flooding incident” at Medmerry holiday park between Bracklesham and Selsey in West Sussex. South East Coast Ambulance confirmed a “number of resources” were sent to help evacuate and rescue a number of people from the site.
Gusts of more than 60mph in Wales
This is the latest from Derek Brockway who says that winds of 62mph have been recorded in Aberporth.
Flooded road re-opens
The A487 has now re-opened in both directions after earlier flooding from Llandeloy turn off at Pen Y Cwm to the Cambrian Inn at Solva.
It was affecting traffic between St Davids and Haverfordwest.
M4 congestion warning
Not weather related but there is a warning of congestion on the M4. It is particularly bad eastbound between junction 28 Tredegar Park and junction 24 Coldra. Traffic Wales says to allow additional time for your journey.
There are restrictions on the M48 Severn Bridge because of the high winds, but it does remain open.
Forecast for rest of the week
Helen Caughey is a Met Office deputy chief meteorologist. Looking at the prospects for later this week, she said:
The forecast contains a brief, quieter interlude thanks to a ridge of high pressure which becomes established across the country later on Tuesday. This will bring dry conditions for most areas for a time, but also a chance of some overnight frosts for prone locations.
However, through Wednesday another band of rain pushes in from the west bringing some heavy and persistent rain, especially for higher ground in the west and north, with warnings already issued for parts of western Scotland. This system is accompanied by some strong and gusty winds, especially for coastal locations and across high ground, in the northern half of the country. The best of any drier and brighter conditions are likely across the south and east of the country.”
Flooding closes Pembrokeshire road
Flooding has closed the A487 in Pembrokeshire.
It is closed from the Llandeloy turn off at Pen Y Cwm and The Cambrian Inn at Solva.
Affecting traffic between St Davids and Haverfordwest.
