Winds bring power cuts to homes

The sea at Porthcawl at high tide In pictures: Satellite images Watch footage of storm problems

Western Power says 500 homes in south Wales are still without power after falling trees crashed through lines overnight.

Most of the homes affected are around Swansea, although earlier 3,000 homes as far afield as Usk, Caerleon and the Neath valley had been hit.

A disused light aircraft flipped over onto its back in high winds at Withybush airport at Haverfordwest.

There was also some damage to properties elsewhere in Pembrokeshire.

In St Brides, Newport, 170 people were evacuated from a mobile home park as a precaution, spending the night at hotels and the city leisure centre.

Phil Davies, Western Power's network services manager for Wales, said the power cuts were also caused by power lines touching each other or "arcing" in the high winds.

He said homes as far west as Haverfordwest had been affected.

Later a spokesman said that the company was working flat out to try to rectify the problems.

A light aircraft flipped over in the wind at Withybush Airport, Haverfordwest

He added that as some customers regained power, others were losing it.

"It's not the same 3,000 people off all the time," he said.

"Pockets of people are coming on and off all the time."

Newport Council said it took the decision to evacuate the Lighthouse Park estate because it was concerned about the effect of the galeforce winds on mobile homes rather than from the threat of flooding.

Resident Mary Dyer and her husband Joseph stayed until 0400 GMT.

She said: "When I rang the helpline and they said the Wentloog levels would be flooded I said we had better get out now before we can't get out."

Residents have since been allowed to return home.

Winds of up to 80mph (130km/h) are expected to hit coasts this morning and these, along with high tides, may cause flooding.

There are 20 flood warnings in place from Gwynedd to the Wye estuary.

Escaping the waves - a pedestrian shields himself on the seafront at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey. Enlarge Image

The M48 Severn Bridge closed both ways due to strong winds and road closures around Wales saw the A466 Tintern Road was closed until further notice with a diversion through Catbrook.

Winds reaching storm force 10 - around 60mph - have been recorded by Holyhead coastguards and Milford Haven coastguads said winds there were strong enough to be a "cause for concern".

They said there were seven large vessels out at sea. In Swansea gusts up to 46mph were measured at Mumbles Head.

Monday's 0245 GMT Stena Line ferry across the Irish Sea between Fishguard in Pembrokeshire and Rosslare was cancelled in advance in anticipation of the weather.

In Pembrokeshire, a light aircraft was flipped over onto its back by the wind at Withybush airport at Haverfordwest.

The single- engined aircraft had not flown for many years but is now completely crushed on the grass near the control tower.

High tide at Gelliswick beach, Hakin, Milford Haven on Monday

The roof was blown off a bungalow extension in Freshwater East and in Solva a garage roof was blown on to the roof of the adjoining house.

Newgale seafront had sea water around one foot (30cms) deep. Elsewhere in the county the A484 was closed due to fallen trees

People were advised to monitor local radio and TV stations and not to make unnecessary journeys.

Pembrokeshire Council officials met the emergency services on Sunday to prepare, and announced that the road at Newgale would be shut from 0600 GMT on Monday, while the Cleddau Bridge was likely to be closed for much of the day.

In Ceredigion, Aberystwyth promenade was closed to traffic as the high tide caused waves to crash over the sea wall.

Council staff and police also patrolled the area to ensure no-one walked the promenade.

People are advised to listen to local weather reports and call the Environment Agency Wales' Floodline on 0845 988 1188.