Storms wreak chaos around Wales

Roads became rivers as the flood water rose

Homes and business have been flooded out, roads and train services closed and public services disrupted by storms across Wales.

Winds of up to 100 miles per hour have left behind a trail of communications chaos for travellers and have cut off power to some homes.

People needed to be evacuated from their homes in several places across Wales as the flood waters reached dangerous levels.

Emergency services in south Wales took more than 500 calls from members of the public from midnight.

Some streets became passable only on foot

Many roads across south Wales were closed and there were speed restrictions in place along the M4.

South Wales police set up command centres throughout the area as many towns and villages were flooded.

Roads in and out of the Rhondda valley were virtually sealed off for much of the morning although Nantgarw Hill later reopened.

Power supplies to some homes were also affected.

Streets evacuated

A spokesman for Hyder said up to 30,000 homes in the Swansea area lost power because of damage to overhead lines by fallen trees.

Engineers are working on the problem, and a spokesman said power should be restored to all the homes during the day.

In Aberkenfig in south Wales, two streets were evacuated during the night and rest centres were set up in local leisure centres.

The Environment Agency said nine rivers across Wales have severe flood warnings in place.

They are the Taff, Ely, Rhymney, Cynon, Usk, Wye, Monnow, Severn and Vyrnwy.

There is localised flooding in most parts of the country - the Mid and West Wales fire service reported that Newtown and Welshpool have been particularly badly affected.

Surface water

Many roads in mid-Wales are impassable because of flooding or fallen trees.

A large section of the A470 at Builth Wells and an eight-mile section of road between Llangattock and Llangyndir are closed.

Several feet of rain has also waterlogged the Royal Welsh show ground at Llanelwedd, and the road from Builth Wells to Llandrindod Wells is closed

In north Wales there are reports of snow on the Berwyn mountains and surface water is causing problems for drivers on the A55.

Homes in Llanwrst in the Conwy Valley have been flooded for the first time in years.

Gwent Police said there was flooding to homes and roads in the region, with Abergavenny, Crickhowell and Chepstow particularly badly affected.

Tintern in the Wye Valley has also been very badly hit, with floodwater rising above car levels.

Schools around Wales have been closed as the bad weather made it impossible for staff and children to get in.

Train trouble

In north Wales, a train on the Cambrian coast line has been halted by a landslip near Barmouth - but there were no reports of injuries.

Cardiff residents blamed flooding on the Barrage

The landslip happened at Friog on the A493 between Dolgellau and Tywyn.

By lunchtime, train services were gradually resuming some limited services after trees and power cables had earlier blocked lines.

Great Western said services between Paddington and Wales were running an hourly service in both directions.

Hourly shuttle services were also running from Swansea to Bridgend.

Wales and the West said their Pembroke and Milford branch lines have now reopened

Half hourly services were running between Cardiff and Bristol, with a shuttle service operating between Cardiff and Newport.

The Valleys Lines were also running a limited service - with trains running from Merthyr, Bargoed, Caerphilly and the Vale of Glamorgan.