Storm Franklin: Record levels set on three rivers in Wales

Three rivers in Wales reached record levels during Storm Franklin on Sunday, Natural Resources Wales has said.

The Severn, Teme and Vyrnwy were higher than ever in several places.

The Severn was highest at Newtown where it reached 4.509m (14ft 10in), the Teme's highpoint was 2.853m (9ft 4in) at Knighton and at Meifod the Vyrnwy reached 3.826m (12ft 7in).

Their previous highest levels at these locations were 3.77m (12ft 4in), 2.85m (9ft 4in) and 3.79m (12ft 5in).

The levels set on the River Teme broke those previously set during Storm Dennis in February 2020.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said river levels had now peaked at most locations and some flood warnings and alerts were being removed.

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It added: "Some of the warnings and alerts on the slower responding rivers, such as the Severn and Wye will remain in place for some time.

"Our main focus is now on Monmouth with river levels expected to peak late afternoon/early evening, this is currently [the] only flood warning in force although flood alerts remain in place in many other areas of Wales."

On Tuesday, as communities count the cost of the damage, a flood warning was issued for the River Wye at Monmouth.

NRW added: "Vast low-lying areas of mid Wales have been inundated with flood water and some properties have been affected as well."

In Carmarthen a sign suffered lost letters during the stormy weather

Thousands of homes were left without power after Storm Eunice battered the country on Friday, with Storm Franklin hitting on Sunday.

Homes and businesses were flooded and some roads remain underwater with rail services also affected.

Transport for Wales said a number of rail services continue to be affected with travellers using trains via Shrewsbury to Cardiff and elsewhere advised not to travel with a major incident declared in Shropshire along the River Severn.

Three named storms - Dudley, Eunice and Franklin - have hit the UK within the last seven days, leaving thousands of people facing major repairs to businesses and homes.

On Friday, as Storm Eunice hit, the majority of schools in Wales closed, all trains were cancelled and tens of thousands were left without power as gusts of up to 92mph (148km/h) were recorded off the Pembrokeshire coast.

There was significant damage to properties as roofs were torn off and trees uprooted during the high winds.

Two lorries overturned on the M4 near Pyle on Friday, but police have confirmed neither of the drivers were seriously injured.

South Wales Police said the drivers suffered cuts and bruising. The Owens Group, which employs one of the drivers, said they were recovering at home and "doing well".

'Mammoth task'

Llandinam in Powys was left looking like a "disaster zone" after the River Severn burst its banks.

Powys councillor Heulwen Hulme told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast external contractors would need to be called in to help with the clean-up across the county.

But with roads still submerged, she said they did not yet know the full extent of the damage.

The River Dee bursts its banks near Bangor-on-Dee, leaving cars stranded

"Some of our road infrastructure remains underwater still, so damage is going to be identified in the future days coming," she said.

"Water has undercut banks in many areas... we will have to call in external contractors to help us get the roads and the bridges infrastructures back up and running and useable for our residents in the county.

"It's a mammoth task."

'Preparing for the worst'

She added the council had approached both the Welsh and UK governments for funding, which she said was "vitally important to ensure we make these repairs as soon as possible".

A tree crashed down on to properties on Cathedral Road in Cardiff

"It is early days… we don't know the full extent of the damage but we are preparing for the worst, we have to."

In Bridgend, council crews attended several hundred incidents of blocked culverts, flooding, fallen trees, broken branches, obstructed roads, demolished structures and damaged roofs.

Cardiff council said it had been dealing with 50 cases of fallen trees or hanging branches obstructing roads and pavements, as well as widespread damage to homes, schools and council buildings from the storms.

Council leader Huw Thomas said staff had been "working tirelessly over the weekend to clean up the mess".

"There has been a number of reports of damage to schools and council buildings and we are carrying out the necessary checks to ensure that repairs can be carried out as quickly as possible."

In Swansea, fallen and dangerous trees led to two road closures in Brynfield Road, Langland, and Cilonnen Road, Three Crosses on Monday and traffic was reduced to one lane on Mayals Road.

Extra teams were drafted in to deal with the clear-up, but the council said "it could be a number of weeks before all the work is completed".

In Carmarthen a once controversial sign battered by the winds was left missing letters. The council said the letters had been found and the sign would be repaired.