Police in Wales move storm watchers away from danger

Sightseers out early along the Welsh coast to witness dramatic severe weather scenes had to be ordered away by police for putting their lives at risk.

Weather watchers who turned out in force today to witness the violent storm surge hitting the coast of Wales were dicing with death.

Carmarthenshire County Council called in the police to move on sightseers who turned out in large numbers at Burry Port, south west Wales.

The coastal town, which sits on a tidal estuary, was lashed by huge waves and winds of more than 70mph during the morning high tide.

“People were turning up by the car load at East Beach and Burry Port Harbour and walking along the harbour wall,” said council spokesman Ron Cant.

Sightseers were using a car park close to the town’s RNLI station which was a potentially dangerous area because of debris being thrown out of the sea, he said.

Local park rangers who were monitoring the situation at 7.15am reported what was happening to the council and the police were called in.

“What they cannot know is what is in these waves. The sea takes up a lot of rock, rubble and stones and throws them violently about,” Mr Cant said.

“Stones weighing up to one hundredweight were being flung into the car park and people were literally putting their lives at risk by being there.”

A Dyfed Powys Police spokesman confirmed: “We were called by the park ranger at 7.30 this morning. Cars were travelling to the harbour on the RNLI side and there was concern for people’s safety.

“The local authority was contacted and they set about securing the car park.”

The severe weather has caused major disruption along the Carmarthenshire coast, closing roads and affecting local rail links.

Acres of dune-scape have been sheered off at Cefn Sidan, near Burry Port, and the level beach has risen by as much as 6ft in some areas with massive movements of sand.

Trees and tonnes of detritus have been washed up on beaches at Burry Port East and West and all along the Carmarthenshire coast.

The road between Ferryside and Kidwelly, near St Ishmael’s Caravan Park, is temporarily closed because of sea water flooding.

Up to 50 caravans and holiday chalets have been flooded at the Carmarthen Bay carvan park.

There are currently flooding alerts at Llanstephan, St Clears, Pembrey, the Towy Valley, Carmarthen Quay, Llangennech, Hendy, and Laugharne.

Across the county, crews have been on 24-hour standby and deployed at various locations to assist with a number of incidents.

Other staff are now being called in from annual leave to help if and when needed as the bad weather is forecast to continue over the weekend.

Council leader Kevin Madge said: “We really appreciate the work of all these members of staff who have been helping throughout the bad weather over the Christmas and New Year period, across all four corners of Carmarthenshire.

“They have been on call 24 hours a day and worked throughout the night last night as the bad weather hit the county.

“I know they have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their efforts to support individuals and communities who need it.

“They have deployed hundreds of sandbags to those at risk, helped to clear roads and debris, and provided support at a number of incidents.

“It looks as though we have a long weekend ahead of us with similar forecasts and high tides, and I know that our staff will be working through it all, helping where they can.”

Further west, firefighters rescued a pregnant woman who was among a number of residents trapped in their homes in St Mary’s Street, Cardigan, this morning.

“The pregnant woman was rescued by firefighters on foot who were wearing wading gear at the time,” a Mid and West Wales Fire service spokeswoman said.

“Boats are now in attendance rescuing people from their homes. Four people in total have been rescued by the fire and rescue service, all in St Mary’s Street. A respite centre has been set for displaced occupants.”