Flood warnings over high tides threat to Welsh coast

Communities along the Welsh coast have been warned of the threat of more flooding as high tides and strong winds combine.

There are fears conditions could be as bad as early January when sea defences were breached damaging homes and businesses.

Amber warnings - meaning 'be prepared' for flooding - have been issued for 15 counties around the coast on Saturday.

Dozens of flood warnings and flood alerts were in place on Friday night.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said high tides and very strong winds would create a high risk of coastal flooding later on Friday and on Saturday.

Milford Haven, Aberystwyth, Holyhead and Llandudno were all experiencing high tides.

Arriva Trains Wales said flooding had blocked lines between Porth and Pontypridd. Replacement buses were in place.

Meanwhile, Aberystwyth University said 600 students based in private and university properties near the town's promenade had left by Friday evening.

After new year storms battered the town causing severe damage, students were told not to return to the seafront accommodation until Monday.

During high tide in the town on Friday evening, some waves were breaking over the sea wall but there was no flooding.

In a statement, the university said: "Around half of the students have opted for alternative accommodation provided by the university or to stay with friends in and around the Aberystwyth area.

"More than a third of the students have accepted the university's offer to travel home or away from Aberystwyth until conditions improve."

Waves crashed over Aberystwyth seafront on Friday evening but there was no flooding

Ceredigion council has urged people living in seafront properties in Cardigan, Aberystwyth and Aberaeron to take care. The local authority said sandbags were being delivered on request.

The leisure centres in Cardigan and Aberystwyth will act as rest centres on Saturday if required.

In Monmouthshire, the A466 through Tintern will be closed as a precaution against flooding either side of high tide times on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning.

A band of heavy rain moved across Wales throughout Friday, prompting warnings of localised flooding.

Current forecasts show that the tides will peak on Saturday, both in the morning and evening.

Pembrokeshire council said it expected this weekend's severe weather and high tides to be similar to that seen just after new year.

It said people were "strongly advised" to keep away from coastal areas over the weekend.

High tides and strong winds will continue next week with Monday morning's tide also likely to create a risk of flooding.

The 15 amber flood warnings for Wales' coast on Saturday were part of a three-day flood risk forecast by the Environment Agency,

It said widespread heavy rain on Friday was likely to result in flooding from rivers with much of southern England and Wales at risk, particularly where rivers were already high from recent rain.

Aberystwyth was one of the towns hardest hit by heavy rain, strong winds, high tides and a sea surge between 3 and 6 January.

A Grade II-listed shelter partly fell into a hole after its foundations were washed away as massive waves pounded the promenade.

Ceredigion council estimated the cost of repairing the promenade had topped £150,000 and feared the bill would increase if similar storms hit the town this weekend.

Work was carried out to repair storm damage to the seafront at Aberystwyth before bad weather returns