Heavy rainfall caused by Storm Babet has led to severe flooding in parts of Wales, prompting Natural Resources Wales to issue 17 flood warnings and 22 flood alerts. A yellow weather warning has also been put in place across many areas until 06:00 BST on Saturday. Many train and bus services have been impacted, with some routes in north Wales and north-west England having to close. Drivers have been warned not to enter flooded roads after Dyfed-Powys Police received multiple reports of stranded vehicles. Schools in mid and north Wales have also been forced to close due to the severe weather.
Denbighshire and Powys councils are among those urging people not to travel unless absolutely necessary. A rest centre established by a housing association will provide accommodation for residents of Llandudno Conwy’s St Andrew’s Avenue, who have been evacuated from their homes due to the flooding. Powys council has been hit hard, with roads being rendered impassable by floodwater and some towns and villages cut off completely.
Flintshire has been particularly affected, with 52 schools forced to close either wholly or partially. In one case, a school had no electricity due to flooding. Scottish Power has reported power cuts in Mold, Flintshire. North Wales Fire Service has received more than 60 reports of flooding, including instances in Mold, Rhyl, Prestatyn, St Asaph, and Denbighshire. The floods have been keeping Mid and West Wales Fire Service “extremely busy,” with teams required to rescue people trapped in cars and warn drivers about the dangers of entering floodwater.
Trains have been hit particularly hard by the floods, with multiple issues on Chester-Crewe lines, Wrexham Central to Bidston lines, Crewe-Shrewsbury lines, and Hooton to Chester and Ellesmere Port lines. Arriva buses have suspended Chester and Flintshire services until further notice, with the exception of service number 11, for which a limited diverted service is in operation. Police have warned drivers about flooding causing issues on many main roads, including the M4 and A55.
The Mold pastor, Ben Midgley, noted that some parts of the town are particularly vulnerable to flooding, while others had already experienced significant flooding in 2020. Firefighters have been using boats to rescue residents, and the evacuation of some could last for weeks
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