Wales weather: Flash flooding in south after torrential rain

Firefighters took 180 calls and attended dozens of incidents after flash flooding hit several areas of south Wales overnight, with the situation in one area described as “horrendous”.

Ten properties were flooded at Ty Caer Castell, Bridgend, and one person was rescued by firefighters from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

They rescued a couple from their car at Lowther Road, Roath, Cardiff at 23:00 BST.

And flooding was also reported at High Street in Whitchurch, Cardiff, and Talbot Road in Port Talbot while sandbags were handed out in Aberavon.

BBC Wales senior meteorologist Derek Brockway said a month’s rain fell in 24 hours at Swansea’s Victoria Park on Friday, with 87.2mm (3.4in) recorded, of which 43.8mm (1.7) fell in an hour after 20:00.

He said it was the UK’s wettest place with a total of 107.8mm (4.2in) of rain on Thursday and Friday.

Elsewhere in Swansea, motorists were led to safety from flooded cars in West Cross Lane just after 21:00.

And firefighters rescued four people and a dog from a flooded garden in Swansea just after 23:00.

A landslide threatened properties at Afan Valley Road, Port Talbot, and one house was evacuated because of concerns an external wall could collapse.

Stephanie Grimshaw, a Neath Port Talbot councillor, took to Facebook on Friday evening: “Residents in Aberavon please be careful, there is severe flooding in the area.

“Sandbags are in the process of being delivered out to residents.”

Natural Resources Wales said one flood warning for Ilston Brook at Ilston, Gower, has since been lifted.

On Friday evening, David Rees, Aberavon Member of the Senedd (MS), whose constituency includes Port Talbot, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Terrible conditions tonight. Everyone take care & stay safe. Horrendous flooding seen in parts of the constituency.”

Gwent Police said officers dealt with surface water issues on the A449 Newport to Usk trunk route.

There were dozens of lightning strikes reported across south Wales between Chepstow and Gower.

A Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy thundery rain was in force until 02:00 BST on Saturday.