PEOPLE across Wales are being urged to prepare for flooding as Storm Ciarán is set to bring persistent and heavy rain across Wales this evening (November 1) and throughout tomorrow.

In addition to the heavy rain, strong winds are also expected.

A yellow Met Office rain warning has been issued to Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey throughout the entirety of November 2.

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Persistent rain, heavy at times, especially over higher ground, could bring some disruption to North Wales.

In total, 30-50mm of rain may fall quite widely within the warning area, with the potential for 60-80mm to fall in a few spots on high ground.

Strong north to northwest winds may exacerbate any impacts from heavy rain.

Surface water flooding is expected and rivers, which are already swollen, are likely to rise quickly as rain falls on saturated ground.

Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) incident response teams are working with other emergency responders and local authorities to keep people and property safe.

Teams are out checking flood defences are in good working order, clearing gulleys and ditches and operating temporary defences where needed to help reduce flood risk to communities.  

People are being urged to consider any steps they may need to take now to be prepared, and to take extra care if you need to travel.

NRW will issue flood alerts and warnings if rivers reach trigger levels, with its teams monitoring levels 24 hours a day.  

Flood alerts mean that flooding is possible, while flood warnings mean that flooding is expected.

Severe flood warnings mean that there is a threat to life and significant disruption is expected.

Katie Davies, NRW’s duty tactical manager, said: “The current forecasted rain from Storm Ciarán could bring significant flood impacts across parts of Wales and we are urging people to be aware and be prepared.

“We’re currently in a period of very unsettled weather - the ground is already very wet, and rivers are already very swollen which means they are likely to respond rapidly.

“Our teams are doing all they can to reduce the risk for communities, but if there is flooding we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe, too.

“We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers, and not to drive or to walk through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and contain hidden hazards.”

What to expect:

  • Flooding of a few homes and businesses is possible.
  • Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer.
  • Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer.
  • Some interruption to power supplies and other services possible.