Raining amok: Pictures as torrential downpours cause flooding chaos in Flintshire and Wrexham

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service was called to several flooding incidents across the region starting on Tuesday evening and continuing into late afternoon yesterday.

The persistent heavy rain led to homes being evacuated, rivers overflowing and roads closing across the counties, while Sandycroft Primary School in Deeside had to close for the day due to overflowing drains.

Fire crews were called to Ty Canol Caravan Park, Llangollen on Tuesday at around 6.30pm and were on the scene pumping water out for close to 24 hours.

Officers were also called to Bagillt Road, in Greenfield, where seven families had to vacate their homes early yesterday morning due to the severe flooding.

Residents described the nerve-racking scene they faced on Tuesday night, not knowing how much higher the water would climb overnight and into the next day.

Adam Connah, 33, said: "Water was just gushing out of the grids and you could only see about a metre-and-a-half of the road, right in the middle.

"I was worried because our house is lower than the road and we have a river at the back of the house as well, so I was watching that too.

"We were preparing to start moving things out of the house, but the council came and put sandbags down as well. It was quite shocking, to be honest."

A spokesman for the fire service said Flintshire and Wrexham were thought to be the worst affected counties in North Wales – but most calls were able to be handled through telephone advice preparing people for the next batch of rain forecast.

Rail services ground to a halt, or faced lengthy delays, with main lines from Shrewsbury, Chester, Crewe, Wrexham Central and Bidston affected by the floods.

A spokesman for Transport for Wales advised that passengers should not travel unless their journey was “absolutely essential” as travel could not be guaranteed.

Roads closed across the two areas due to a build-up of flood water dominating the road surface included stretches of the A548 Flint to Denbighshire border, A5118 Padeswood, A548 Bagillt Bypass and Kelsterton Lane.

The A55 westbound exit slip road near Connah's Quay was closed due to flooding at J33A (Northop Hall West), while Bagillt High Street was also closed.

However; a fallen tree caused Ffordd y Bont in Treuddyn to close off, a burst water main claimed Saltney’s Victoria Road and Old London Road, by Flint Cemetery, was closed due to a collapsed wall.

Wrexham Council said Cheshire Police had closed the A41 Broxton to Chester route – with an available diversion via A534, although problems at Llan y Pwll, Wrexham were being monitored carefully, while North Wales Police police warned motorists that a road closure in place at the junction of Rossett Road, Gamford lane to Darland Lane/Chester Road, Rossett.

Cefn Road eastbound in Wrexham had to be closed due to flooding from Abenbury Road to Sesswick Way.

Police described the weather and road conditions across the region as ‘atrocious’ and urged motorists to drive with safety in mind.

A spokesman said: “Please slow down wherever you may be going. Assess the need for your journey, drive to the conditions and your driving ability. Please do not ignore any road closure signs.”

Cllr David Bithell, lead member for environment and transport at Wrexham Council, said: “As you are aware we are experiencing prolonged periods of rain with approximately 30-40 mm of rainfall widespread across all areas, with rainfall of up to approximately 70-80 mm on high ground.

"Current forecasts suggest that rain is easing through today, but picking up again later.  Heavier bursts of rain are forecast through the evening and overnight.”

"The council received more than 80 independent reports via the contact centre and around 30 sites currently receiving attention.

"Our staff had worked throughout the night and will continue through today with additional resources being deployed as necessary.”

The deputy leader of Wrexham Council warned residents to remain vigilant and stay away from rivers after flood waters hit the region.

Cllr Hugh Jones, lead member for communities, partnerships, public protection and community safety, said he could not be confident that the county's flood defences would protect homes and businesses, but that the council and Natural Resources Wales were doing all they could to ensure public safety.

Speaking on the bridge that runs over the broken banks of the River Alyn, in his ward of Rossett, Cllr Jones said the council had been receiving regular calls since 7am on Wednesday morning.

He said it was incredibly important that people follow the advice given by the council, which was to "stay away from rivers" and if they've got any concerns, to contact the council, who will then do their very best to ensure they are kept safe.

Flintshire Council said: "Our staff have been out all night and we have deployed extra resources across the county today to deal with any localised flooding issues. Sandbags are ready for deployment if required."

They also informed parents to be mindful of delays on public transport where services may be delayed or not operate in areas where flooding has affected roads or where closures were in place.

Natural Resources Wales issued a flood warning and six flood alerts that covered both Flintshire and Wrexham.

They said isolated properties and extensive areas of agricultural land in the Lower Dee flood plain were most at risk.

The flood warning which means “flooding is expected - immediate action is required” covered the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Trevalyn Meadows.

The flood alerts which means “be prepared” covered the following:

Clwyd catchment: Areas around the river Clwyd from Clocaenog to Rhuddlan.

Mold: Parts of the town around Leadmill, Queens Park, Brook Street, Gas Lane and Broncoed Industrial Estate.

Pontblyddyn: Parts of the village along the A541 adjacent to the river.

Rossett: Parts of Burton Road, Llay Road, Station Road, the Copse and properties on the right hand bank including Rossett Mill, Marford Mill and the Mill House.

Rhyd-y-goleu: Holland Farm and cottages.

Alyn catchment: Areas around the river Alyn from Llandegla to Rossett.

The entire region is bracing itself for more of the same weather as further heavy rain is expected on Thursday, which may lead to more disruption and flooding in places.

The Met Office placed a yellow weather warning for heavy and persistent rain over most of North Wales and parts of Cheshire on Wednesday morning which remains in effect until midday today.

According to the Met Office, this means there could be some flooding and delays to public transport. A spokesman said: "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings.

A range of advice is available on the Met Office website, including travelling in storms, rain and heavy wind as well as what to do in a flood. For more information, visit