Woman's body found in Bethesda stream as storm batters Wales

Strong winds caused a large tree to fall in Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire

Police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was recovered from a fast-flowing stream in Gwynedd as stormy weather batters Wales.

They were called to Nant Ffrancon near Bethesda at 15:37 GMT on Monday following heavy rain.

It is thought the woman had left her house to check a water supply.

Meanwhile, the River Usk has burst its banks in Crickhowell, Powys, causing flooding. It is one of six areas where flood warnings are in place.

Heavy rain and high winds caused disruption across Wales on Monday.

In Bethesda, emergency services were alerted to reports of a woman who had gone missing from her home.

'Full flow'

Paul Smith, spokesman for the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team which attended the scene, told BBC Wales: "It seems the woman had gone out to check the water supply to her house."

"A little while later her partner noticed she had gone and raised the alarm.

"The place she was found is just 50 metres from her house. It's a small stream that runs off the mountain - about half a metre wide and three quarters of a metre deep - but it was in full flow.

"All the emergency services attended. The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation was called because of the off-road location and because we have specialist expertise in swift water rescue.

"In the event, we were stood down fairly quickly because the other emergency services were able to deal with the incident."

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

North Wales Police said they were investigating the death but were unable to confirm any details of the circumstances.

In Crickhowell, Bridge Street was flooded after the Usk burst its banks on Monday evening.

Howard Baker, landlord of the Bridge End Inn, told BBC Wales that fire crews were pumping out the pub's cellar but it was nothing to compare with the flooding which cut the town off in February 2002.

"It's not as serious as 12 years ago but with parties cancelled and tomorrow being Christmas Eve, we've got to try and get the place back to some normality so we can keep trading," he said.

The Usk in Crickhowell was among six flood warnings issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as of 21:00 GMT on Monday.

They included another stretch of the Usk from Glangrwyne To Newbridge-on-Usk, plus other warnings at Dolgellau, Abergwili, the Lower Dee Valley and Osbaston in Monmouth.

There were also 33 flood alerts - the lowest category of warnings. However, two of them covered a huge stretch of coastline - the western coast of Anglesey together with the Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay.

Travel disruption

The storm has brought fallen trees and blocked roads, property damage and cancelled trains and ferries, with 87mph winds recorded in Conwy.

Carmarthenshire was among the areas worst affected with damage to the roof of a community hall in Newcastle Emlyn and a large tree blown down in Llangyndeyrn.

Travel has been disrupted across the country and more problems are expected on Tuesday.

Stena Line has cancelled three ferries to Dublin this week out of Holyhead, including two on Christmas Eve.

The first cancellation is the 02:30 Stena Adventurer sailing on 24 December, followed by the 08.55 Stena Nordica sailing. The 10.30 Stena HSS sailing on 27 December is also cancelled.

Arriva Trains Wales have cancelled some rail services in mid and south Wales due to flooding.

Roads across Wales have also been affected, with some closures.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the public needed to be prepared for possible flooding, and have urged people to remain vigilant.

"Latest forecasts show persistent and intense rainfall is expected, continuing through to Tuesday, Christmas Eve," warned a spokesperson.