Heavy rain causes flooding and leaves motorists stranded

  • Published
Media caption,

Floodwater rushes through Llangefni, Anglesey after a river burst its banks, filmed by local radio station MônFM

Heavy rain has flooded roads and left motorists stranded in north Wales.

Police are urging people to avoid travelling where possible after Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey were hit.

The Bangor and Bethesda policing team said it had been assisting its Anglesey colleagues, where officers have rescued people stranded in vehicles.

The Met Office has yellow "be aware" weather alerts in place for areas of Wales until Thursday.

It warns of gusts of up to 70mph (113km/h) over the mountains and up to 100mm of rain on higher ground in north west Wales.

Natural Resources Wales has issued a flood warning for the Conwy Valley and 12 alerts, mostly for north Wales.

Anglesey council said: "Resources are currently severely stretched. Our priority is reopening A and B roads currently flooded and keeping other strategic routes open."

There are several road closures in place:

  • A55 Britannia Bridged is closed in both directions
  • A5 is closed in both directions between Llangefni and Gaerwen
  • A5 Bangor Road closed in both directions between Bethesda and Ogwen Cottage
  • A4086 in both directions at Nant Peris
  • A4085 in both directions between Waunfawr and Rhyd Ddu
  • One lane closed on A55 westbound at J6 A5/A5114 (Llangefni)
  • One lane closed on A55 westbound between Station Road (Abergwyngregyn) and J12 Roman Road (Tal-y-bont)

A multi-vehicle accident has also led to the A547 Abergele Road being closed in both directions between the A525/Station Road (Castle View roundabout) and A55 J24 (Abergele).

Image source, Felicity Bowen
Image caption,
Bridge Street is flooded in Haverfordwest
Image source, Laurel Ford
Image caption,
Motorists struggle to get through floodwater
Image source, @Ffitography
Image caption,
Flooding in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
Image source, Sharon Clarke
Image caption,
Some roads are impassable because of floodwater

Bridge Street, the main shopping street in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, was flooded on Wednesday, along with the main road outside Withybush Hospital.

Pembrokeshire council said Glan Cleddau School in Haverfordwest allowed children home early due to flooding in the car park.

Arriva Trains Wales has suspended the service between Bangor and Holyhead due to flooding, while Irish Ferries cancelled some services from Holyhead and Pembroke Dock.

Image source, Met Office
Image caption,
The Met Office warnings are in place until about 09:00 GMT on Thursday.