Homes evacuated in Bangor-on-Dee as major incident declared overnight
Residents of Bangor-on-Dee in north Wales had to be evacuated as emergency services worked through the night to remove people from the risk of flood water.
At around 11pm on Wednesday, Natural Resource Wales issued a severe flood warning for the area, the most serious warning it can issue, meaning residents were asked to leave their homes in the middle of the night and were taken to Sant Dunawd school and a nearby leisure centre.
Water levels on the River Dee were so high that Natural Resource Wales gave the following advice to the village: "Police request properties on Abbey Gardens, Overton Road High Street, ie closest to the river must evacuate. Go to rest centre at Sant Dunawd school."
North Wales Police declared a major incident at around 1.40am. The force said: "Severe flood risk: Emergency services are asking residents of Bangor on Dee to evacuate properties and proceed to Ysgol Sant Dunawd immediately.
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"DO NOT try to leave the area yourself. 4x4 vehicles will be utilised by emergency services to evacuate residents from the school."
A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: "As a precaution, residents are now being evacuated from their homes in Bangor-on-Dee, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable in the community.
"This is on the back of the severe flood warning issued for the village by Natural Resources Wales.
"North Wales Police is leading on the evacuation, and the council is working with partners to assist and organise temporary rest centres for residents affected."
Nearby Plas Madoc Leisure Centre was also used as a rest shelter for residents evacuated from nearby villages including Bangor-on-Dee.
A spokesperson from the centre said: "Last night the centre was used to accommodate local residents from Bangor-on-Dee and elsewhere who were affected by flooding, in our role as an emergency evacuation venue.
"This again highlights the role the centre plays as an important hub for residents in Wrexham.
"We hope everyone is safe and well, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by last nights flooding."
Wrexham Council also warned people to avoid driving and especially avoid flooding hotspots in the county.
A spokesperson from the council said: "The torrential rain we experienced last night has resulted in several road closures in the county borough.
"These include: A525 Bangor on Dee between Cross Lanes and Bronnington; Straight Mile (B5426); Overton to Bangor On Dee (B5069); A539 Marchwiel to Eaton; Berse Road, New Broughton; Also A5 Whitehurst Junction – Froncysyllte.
"Note the A539 from Erbistock to Overton was closed but is now open."
