Wales flooding: Homes affected after heavy rain
- Published
Water rushed through some streets in Cardigan dislodging manhole covers
Heavy rain has led to flooding and disruption in parts of south and west Wales.
Six homes in Cardigan, Ceredigion, were cut off by floodwater with people left standing outside their properties.
The fire service have been dealing with 40 incidents in the town. Rescue boats were brought in to help efforts.
One lane of the M4 westbound near Bridgend was closed, while Trehafod, Cwmfelinfach and Pontllanfraith have also been affected by flooding.
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for east and north Wales, while the Environment Agency has announced a flood warning for the River Mwldan in Cardigan.
There are also flood alerts in operation on the rivers Loughor and Amman, River Ewenny and Vale of Glamorgan west catchment areas, the rivers Llynfi and Ogmore and the lower Teifi.
The agency said the rain was expected to ease by 01:00 BST on Friday.
On the M4, a lane was shut between junction 36 at the Sarn service area and junction 37 at Pyle. Drivers were advised to approach the area with care.
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said at 19:30 BST that it had 17 crews out dealing with flooding incidents.
They were called to Hengoed, Tredegar, Cowbridge and Bedlinog, following earlier incidents in Cwmfelinfach, Pontllanfraith, Trehafod and Bridgend.
Most of the incidents involved sewage overflow with drains unable to cope with heavy rain.
In Cowbridge, fire officers were pumping out 12in (30cm) of water from the back of the home of an elderly couple in Broad Shoard.
In Cardigan, there were reports that a pub was under 60cm (2ft) of water.
Extra care
Resident Philip Porter said: "There was a manhole cover on the road and the rush of water was so great it pushed it straight up.
"The pub down the road, The Eagle, was flooded out with 2ft of water. The pub goes into a dip and the water rushes into it."
Meanwhile, the A478 road was closed in both directions at Blaenffos, Pembrokeshire, due to flooding between the B4332 at Crymych and A487/B4546 towards Cardigan.
Drivers are being urged to take extra care as conditions are likely to be hazardous.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said there had been several reports of manholes lifting after drains failed to cope with the heavy rain.
A car was stuck in an open manhole in Christopher Road, Ynyforgan, Swansea, shortly before 18:00 BST. Firefighters freed the vehicle's wheels using air bags.
Other crews have been pumping water from homes and gardens in Clydach and Pontardawe.
Flash flooding affected properties on Thursday afternoon in Castle Street, Caemorgan Road and St Dogmaels Road in Cardigan.
Saturated
Nine fire engines were said to be in the town pumping out properties, but left the scene later in the evening.
The problems started at around 15:00 BST after local streams were saturated from heavy rain, said Mid and West Wales Fire Service.
People in Cardigan said there had been heavy rain intermittently throughout the day.
Resident Karon Baker said she came home from work to discover the flooding and water was lapping up outside her property.
"The rain came down and the drains just couldn't cope," she said.
"The Eagle pub has had it pretty bad, along with properties around the corner in St Dogmael's Road."
Blocked drains
One man, who did not want to be named, said the downpours were so torrential at times that he could only see a couple of yards in front of him.
Meanwhile, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said a car was stuck in floodwater in Pwllheli. There was no danger to the occupants.
BBC Wales meteorologist Derek Brockway said he believed around 1in (2cm) of rain had fallen in places.
"The worst of the rain has eased off in the south and west but there is more heavy rain to come in the north and east for a short time yet, with a Met Office warning in force," he said.
"It will be a wet start in the north and east on Thursday evening but the heavy rain will gradually clear so turning drier everywhere overnight."