Warning of further storms on way to Wales after day of disruption

More heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecast after a day of flooding and disruption across Wales.

Winds of up to 93mph were recorded in Gwynedd and a flood warning remains in place for the Lower Dee valley.

Several roads have been affected while around 4,000 homes were without power.

While conditions eased on Tuesday afternoon, Environment Agency Wales is urging people to remain vigilant about floods as further rain could fall on on Wednesday.

In addition to the flood warning in place for the Lower Dee Valley, there were 13 flood alerts across Wales as of 19:00 GMT on Tuesday.

The agency warned that although rain on Wednesday was not predicted to be as heavy, the ground was already saturated in areas, which could prompt further flood alerts or warnings, and disruption to travel.

Officers spent Tuesday checking flood defences were in good working order, and removing obstructions which posted a flood risk.

Fire crews in mid Wales were called out to rescue a woman stuck in her car in floodwater about two foot deep near Mid Wales Airport in Welshpool. She was recovered safe and well.

Earlier they attended an incident on the A487 at Eglwysfach near Machynlleth where a tree had fallen onto a car next to the entrance of the Ynys-Hir hotel, although no-one was injured.

Train services have been restored in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan after earlier disruption due to flooding.

Arriva Trains Wales had suspended south Wales valley services linking Pontypridd with Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare due to flooding at Trehafod and at Abercynon South, although services resumed in time for the evening rush hour.

A replacement bus service was also running for a time between Barry and Bridgend train stations.

Meanwhile, the Britannia Bridge at Anglesey is closed to high sided vehicles, but the Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire has been reopened to all traffic.

Homes evacuated

Energy company Western Power Distribution said 4,000 of its customers had been affected by power cuts, spread in "small pockets" across east and west Wales, although most had been reconnected by Tuesday evening.

A spokeswoman said the main problems have been with debris, such as small branches, hitting power lines.

"It's been a very busy day - they've dealt with around 45 high voltage faults - which is equivalent to a week's worth of work in last 12 hours," she said.

The company was also making safe a high-voltage power cable brought down by a falling tree in Crickhowell, Powys.

This trampoline ended up on a car in Bala, Gwynedd, after overnight gales. Picture: Dylan Vaughan Evans

Six homes in Dolgellau, Gwynedd were evacuated because of arcing power lines in high winds.

Around 12 people living in Waterloo Street were asked to leave their homes just after 05:00 GMT.

North Wales Fire Service said they were alerted because an electrical box attached to a property had caught fire after a short circuit.

Localised flooding

Elsewhere high winds blew down trees across Wales blocking a number of roads, including some in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Gwynedd.

And in Bala, Gwynedd, a trampoline was spotted on top of a car after overnight gales.

BBC Wales weather forecaster Derek Brockway said the worst of the weather was over by lunchtime - but that more rain is expected on Wednesday.

"The worst is over - at least for the time being," he said.

"But it was certainly a very wet and wild start to the week."

Environment Agency Wales is advising people to listen to local weather and traffic reports and to view the latest information on the Met Office website.

Flood alerts and warnings can be found on the Environment Agency Wales website or by calling Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Meanwhile Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams has written to Western Power Distribution demanding an explanation after constituents in the Knighton area were left without electricity on Christmas Day for the second successive year.