Storm Ellen: Stormy sea swimmers labelled 'senseless'

The Saundersfoot harbour master says such behaviour "puts strain" on the emergency services

Men pictured swimming and jumping into the sea during stormy conditions have been labelled "stupid" and "senseless".

Saundersfoot harbour master David Richards said such behaviour puts "strain" on the emergency services.

On Friday hundreds of homes were left without power in south Wales, seven flood warnings were issued and there was significant disruption to travel.

A campsite owner in Pembrokeshire said he had "never seen anything like this" in August.

Gusts of up to 95mph (153km/h) forced the closure of the M48 Severn Bridge, and a 30mph speed limit was in place on the A55 Britannia Bridge.

The RNLI and Coastguard have warned people to take extra care from large waves

Western Power Distribution said it had reconnected homes in Caerphilly county, Monmouthshire and Vale of Glamorgan after power cuts on Friday.

Natural Resources Wales said coastal communities in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire could be affected as spring tides coincide with stormy seas.

Rail services on the Cambrian line between Pwllheli and Machynlleth have been affected and replacement buses were being arranged, Transport for Wales has said.

Earlier it said trains between Holyhead and Bangor were running at reduced speed due to "severe weather", with disruption possible on all routes until 15:00.

Waves hitting the sea wall in Porthcawl

Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion, saw rough seas on Friday

Ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin, and Fishguard and Rosslare have been cancelled or delayed, and people are advised to check before they travel.

Toby Rhys-Davies, owner the Apple Camping campsite in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, told BBC Radio Wales a maple tree and a large tent had come down overnight.

"It was quite a dramatic evening battling the elements," he said.

"In my experience, I have never seen anything like this, not in August."

A maple tree came down at the Apple Camping site in Tenby

Demand for campsites was still high, says Toby Rhys-Davies

But it has not deterred the "sort of person who wants to batten down the hatches", he added.

"We did have a couple just leave, but another couple just got in touch - there are those who are not put off because there are so few campsites.

"We have been turning away 30 people a day."

In Carmarthenshire, police said a fallen tree had blocked the road at Llanddowror.

And police in Swansea shared a photo of the front of Barclays Bank on Oxford Street with its front sign missing.

By Sabrina Lee, BBC Wales weather forecaster

The unseasonably windy spell of weather is due to the remnants of Storm Ellen.

Gusts for inland locations could peak quite widely at 45-50mph, closer to 55-60mph for coasts and hills, and higher locally.

We have already observed gusts overnight of 68mph along the south coast.

Trees are in full leaf and with saturated ground from recent showers, there is an increased likelihood of damage to trees.

The combination of spring tides, large waves, rough seas and strong winds could also allow for coastal flooding.

The winds will ease somewhat on Friday night, but it will still be blustery, especially for coastal locations and high ground.

It will be breezy or windy on Saturday too, but by Sunday the winds will moderate, allowing for more comfortable outdoor conditions.

The RNLI and coastguard have warned of dangerous conditions in coastal areas, such as in Pendine, Carmarthenshire

High tide washed over benches at Aberaeron, Ceredigion