Welsh flooding victims return home

Hundreds of people evacuated following flash flooding in west Wales were returning to their homes and caravans today.

Villages in the county of Ceredigion were flooded by up to 5ft (1.5m) of water.

Some 150 residents and holidaymakers were rescued and evacuated from homes and caravan parks near Aberystwyth after twice as much rain fell in 24 hours as normally falls in the area in the whole of June.

Fire crews were again working around the clock, continuing to pump out water from a number of locations.

Although many roads have reopened, a flood warning remains in place and water has yet to recede fully in some places.

A number of caravans and tents in the Aberystwyth Holiday Park remained cut off from land – with some occupants surveying any possible damage from afar.

Tourist Simon Saunders, originally from the Midlands, was staying in a caravan with friends when told to evacuate the park yesterday.

He said: “It’s amazing no-one was seriously hurt when you consider the damage done.

“The caravan parks are popular with families and retired people – so were the evacuation not done so quickly someone could have easily got hurt.

“My mate’s camper van looks as if it’s stranded and we won’t be going home today.

“But everyone has pulled together and helped everyone out.”

Emergency services sprang into action early yesterday morning after heavy rainfall caused flash flooding.

Some 150 people were rescued and evacuated to rest centres, but police said the overall number who left their homes was nearer 1,000.

Some spent the night in the centres if they were not able to make their own arrangements.

Senior politicians, including Prime Minister David Cameron, paid tribute to RAF helicopter crews, fire service teams, coastguard and RNLI lifeboat crews and the emergency services who ensured there were no serious casualties.