9 June 2012
Last updated at 17:33 GMT
Flooding clean up gets started
A clean up starts after severe fl
Wales flooding: Clean up begins after rescue operation near Aberystwyth
People have begun cleaning up Talybont after the village was flooded
A
clean up has started in parts of mid Wales after severe flooding sparked
a major rescue operation which saw 1,000 people moved to safety.
Villages in Ceredigion were cut off as houses and caravan parks were flooded by up to 5ft (1.5m) of water.Despite receding water levels, warnings have been made for people to stay away from rivers and flooded areas.
The Environment Agency Wales said it remained concerned about the River Rheidol and River Fathew in Bryncrug.
It said "up to five inches" (12cm) of rain fell in the area in 24 hours.
Dol-y-bont resident Jason Hughes: "I've seen it high but nothing like this"
Machynlleth in Powys was also flooded. Roads around the area were also closed due to flooding.
Dyfed Powys Police said they believed 1,000 people had been evacuated from Ceredigion and parts of Powys.
Prime Minister David Cameron has spoken to First Minister Carwyn Jones to offer his support and praise rescuers.
Around 100 firefighters have been involved in the rescue efforts as well as RNLI teams and other emergency services. Three people have received treatment after sustaining minor injuries.
Andy Francis from Mid and West Wales Fire Service said: "The tide has peaked and the weather seems to be lightening.
"The worst should be over. But we will be monitoring the situation."
Some trapped people were taken to safety by helicopter
During the operation, the RNLI's flood rescue teams helped people to safety at Aberystwyth Holiday Village.
Rescues happened at Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre, near Aberystwyth, Mill House Caravan Park at Dol-y-bont, also in Llandre and Sea Rivers caravan park, Ynyslas.
A spokesman for Environment Agency Wales said: "The flood banks on the Leri near the Riverside Caravan Park are in a good condition and we had recently completed a programme of works to refurbish them - but the rainfall levels meant the river rose so quickly that they were overtopped."
Residents in 25 properties were evacuated in Talybont, a nearby village hit by severe flooding.
Ten houses were flooded in the town of Penrhyncoch. One person was rescued and an ambulance was deployed to another.
Many were trapped by severe flooding at caravan parks near Aberystwyth
Emergency rest centres were set up for people.
Sam Ebenezer, from Talybont, added: "Everyone is just devastated and amazed with the amount of water that's flowing through the river.
"I've never seen the river as high as it has been. It came as a shock to everybody."
Ceredigion councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, who lives in Talybont praised the community spirit following the floods.
"The community spirit has been fantastic," she said. "Some people have helped in the hall this morning... now the boys are helping clear up the mess."
The Environment Agency Wales said this was an "unprecedented event".
It issued a number of flood alerts and warnings with updates via its website.
Water has largely subsided at Riverside Caravan Park, near Aberystwyth
The spokesman said: "Mr Cameron offered his full support to all those affected by the extreme weather and passed on his thanks to the dedication of the RAF, lifeboat crews, emergency and other local services who have worked tirelessly to make people safe and keep disruption to a minimum."
Ms Gillan said she was "impressed" by the rescue operation.
"This has been a very impressive operation in horrific weather conditions and with unprecedented flood levels," she said.
"Those involved in the rescue mission at the caravan parks in Llandre have acted quickly and with courage.
"Wales Office are in contact with the teams involved and I would like to offer them my support and thanks for the way in which they have come to the aid of all the residents and holiday makers affected, and kept disruption to a minimum.
RAF teams have been winching people in danger from the flood waters to safety
First Minister Carwyn Jones gave his thanks to everybody who helped with the rescue.
A Welsh government spokeswoman said: "The First Minister is very concerned about the flooding in mid and west Wales. He has been receiving updates throughout the day on the situation.
"The First Minister's thanks go to all those involved in the rescue operation."
- For latest information listen to BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and the BBC News Channel.
Have you been affected by the floods? Are you taking part in the clean up? Send us your comments using the form below.
