Storm Bert brings landslide and 82mph gusts

A fallen tree on the way into Bala, Gwynedd

Storm Bert has caused disruption across Wales, with weather warnings for high winds and heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday.

The Met Office said wind gusts of 82mph (130km/hr) were recorded at Capel Curig in Conwy county, with gusts of up to 60mph (96km/hr) expected inland and up to 70mph (113km/hr) in coastal areas.

In Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, in Wrexham, five adults and five children were rescued from a house after a landslide at about 14:00 GMT.

The National Grid said thousands of properties were left without power in south and west Wales.

People across the country have been advised to prepare for potential flooding, compounded by melting snow, with up to 150mm (6in) of rain possible.

Natural Resources Wales has issued a number of flood warnings and flood alerts.

Near the site of the landslide Jonathan Greatorex, the landlord of The Hand at Llanarmon pub, said the emergency services had left.

"The community has been amazing and rallied round to support the family at what must be a deeply difficult time," he said.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "Storm Bert is what we call a multi-hazard event, bringing snow, rain and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend.

"It's expected to develop during Saturday morning across the southwest, becoming particularly heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday."

He said 50-75mm (2-2.9in) of "particularly heavy and persistent rain is expected to fall fairly widely and the rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend may bring flooding for some".

The swollen river at Beddgelert in Gwynedd on Saturday

A yellow weather warning for rain is in force across Wales until 06:00 on Sunday.

There is also a yellow weather warning for strong winds in place until 21:00 on Sunday for Anglesey, Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

The waves at Porthcawl, Bridgend county

Some rail services have already been disrupted.

The Conwy Valley and Heart of Wales lines - which run from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Swansea to Shropshire, via Carmarthenshire and Powys, respectively - will be closed on Saturday and Sunday because of the storm's expected impact.

Replacement road transport will be in place for the duration.

On the roads, the M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions due to strong winds.

National Highways advised motorists to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

And speed restrictions were introduced on the A55 Britannia Bridge between Anglesey and the mainland.

Irish Ferries' Saturday crossings between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, and Stena Line's services between Fishguard and Rosslare, were cancelled.