DOZENS of residents in Gwynedd had to seek shelter after their homes were flooded during Storm Francis on Tuesday night.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it evacuated a total of 80 people across the region in 50 separate flooding incidents affecting homes and businesses, in what was a busy night for firefighters, the police and local authorities.

The fire service was called to Abergwyngregyn and Beddgelert, where a river burst its banks, with reports of internal flooding to houses and flats amid heavy rainfall and strong winds.

A family was rescued by from a van in Llandygai after it was caught in floodwater, while another property was flooded in Bethesda.

"Our crews and officers assisted in getting people to safety where required and in pumping and diverting water away from the areas affected," a spokesperson for the fire service said. "Water started subsiding in most areas in the early hours of the morning.

"We were called to Abergwyngregyn 5.30pm to assist six people assisted to safety, and again at 7.20pm to evacuate eight persons from flats due to internal flooding. A pump and one officer attended the incident.

"We were called to Beddgelert at 9pm to flooding affecting 12 houses in one street, six with internal flooding. Two pumps attended together with a water rescue boat. Residents sheltered with neighbours and in a local hotel.

"We were called again to Beddgelert at 9.30pm to internal flooding at a property. Two pumps attended and assisted residents to shelter at a neighbour's property.

"An officer remains in attendance this morning.

"We were called to Llandygai Industrial Estate at 5.51pm and sent one pump to assist a man, woman and two children to safety.

"A property was also flooded on Bethesda at about 6.22pm One pump attended the incident.

"We were called to Garndolbenmaen at 10.28pm and pumped water out of property flooded internally. One officer attended.

"In total we received 52 calls relating to Storm Francis involving separate flooding incidents. There were many more if we count multiple calls to same incident.

"Of these, we attended incidents relating to 24 of the calls and provided advice to 28 callers over the phone. We carried out 80 evacuations and rescues."