Wales weather warning for Sunday and Monday amid flood risk

Wales faces four weather warnings on Sunday and Monday including an amber “possible risk to life” warning as heavy rain may lead to travel disruption and flooding.

The Met Office issued separate warnings, for parts of north, mid and south Wales, following recent flooding from Storm Bram and “devastating” flooding in Monmouth from Storm Claudia.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has warned people in south Wales in particular to prepare for potential significant flooding overnight.

There are currently eight flood warnings and 41 flood alerts in place.

“Given the recent wet weather and saturated ground, the likelihood of impacts is higher,” the Met Office said, adding there was also a possibility of flooding in Dolgellau, Gwynedd.

“Over the next 24 to 36 hours, parts of the UK, particularly the west, will see a significant amount of rain,” a Met Office spokesperson said.

They continued: “In south and west Wales we could see another 100mm (4in) of rain falling in the next 24 hours or so, and that’s falling on saturated ground.

“We’ve had a very wet November and start to December. So, travel disruption and possible flooding of businesses and homes over the next day or two could be quite significant.”

Flooding caused train services between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog to be cancelled on Monday morning, with disruption expected to continue until the end of the day.

Police also urged drivers to avoid the A487 in Nasareth, Gwynedd, due to heavy flooding.

• An amber warning for rain is in place covering much of south Wales from Pembrokeshire to Newport until 21:00 on Monday
• A yellow warning for rain covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan throughout Monday
• A separate yellow warning for rain is in place for Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Powys from 18:00 on Sunday until 15:00 on Monday
• Another yellow warning for rain is in place for Flintshire and Wrexham from 18:00 on Sunday until midnight on Monday

NRW said it was continuing to monitor the situation closely and its teams were working alongside the Flood Forecasting Centre, emergency responders and local authority partners to prepare for the weather, monitoring forecasts and rainfall predictions.

Sally Davies, NRW’s duty tactical manager said their real concern was how the situation could escalate rapidly in the early hours of the morning.

“We’re urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding now.

“If flooding is possible in your area, think about preparing a flood kit with any important documents and medication, moving your car to higher ground and moving treasured possessions upstairs or to a higher place.”