Storm Claudia forces evacuations in Monmouth amid 'danger to life' warnings

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident in Monmouth following "widespread flooding" due to Storm Claudia.

Natural Resources Wales has imposed four severe flood warnings in the area amid concern of a "significant risk to life" with more than 35 flood alerts and warnings across Wales.

"Teams have been carrying out rescues, evacuations, welfare checks, and moving residents from affected areas to places of safety" in Monmouth, said a fire service statement.

Gwent Police, Welsh Ambulance Service and Monmouthshire council staff are also involved in the operation.

First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies thanked the emergency services for "working tirelessly in dreadful conditions to keep people safe", as well as others for looking out for others.

"It is often at times of hardship that we see the best of people," they said in a joint statement.

Monmouth MP Catherine Fookes said her "thoughts are with everyone affected by the severe flooding".

"The scenes across the county are shocking and I can only imagine how devastating this is for residents whose homes and businesses have been affected," she said.

"Monmouthshire has a fantastic community spirit and I know we will continue to pull together and support one another as the clean-up begins."

The severe flood warnings cover the River Wye at Monmouth with others on the River Monnow at Watery Lane, Over Monnow; Forge Road, Osbaston; and Skenfrith.

"I haven't seen it this bad in Monmouth for 20 to 30 years," said local county councillor Martin Newell, who has a business in the town.

He said he was "absolutely heartbroken" for those affected.

"These are friends that own these businesses and also live in these properties."

He paid tribute to 999 crews who had been working in the area since Friday afternoon, and local businesses for providing them with food and hot drinks.

"We've got a big job ahead. We're going to clean this up and we will get it done."

He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast flood defences had protected the town "somewhat over the last few decades" so "this wasn't supposed to happen".

"To have flooding on this scale is really rare and I didn't expect to see this ever again after the flood defences were built.

"And this is why this is so heartbreaking because this isn't supposed to happen.

"We need to find out what's happened here, do a full investigation and make sure this doesn't happen again."

Monmouthshire council said staff were "out working with blue light services to support residents" and would work over the weekend to "assess the damage and begin the clean up process".

Transport for Wales said a number of rail services have been affected due to flooding and is advising customers "not to attempt to travel between Shrewsbury and Newport on Saturday".

"In addition to the closure of the railway between Newport and Hereford, the line between Hereford and Shrewsbury is currently closed and disruption is expected to continue," it warned in an update on its website.

"We have been unable to source sufficient replacement road transport and cannot guarantee customers will be able to reach their destination."

The storm caused travel disruption on Friday evening and left hundreds of homes without power, including 330 in Cardiff, 285 in Tregaron, 68 near St Clears, and 41 in Camarthen, according to the National Grid.

The latest downpours came days after flooding in Carmarthen was described by one business owner as the "worst in living memory".