There is an anxious wait for residents living near the River Wye in Herefordshire, with heavy rain across Wales expected to cause flooding on New Year’s Day.
Up to 100mm of rain could fall over Mid Wales, near the source of the River Wye, leading to inevitable issues further downstream.
Residents in places such as Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford and Lower Bullingham will be watching levels anxiously over the coming 24 hours.
A Met Office warning for rain, which covers much of Wales and also western parts of Herefordshire says:
“Beginning on New Year’s Eve, persistent and at times heavy rainfall is expected as a band of rain becomes slow-moving across the region, accompanied by strong south-westerly winds which will gust 50-60 mph in places.
“This rain then clears slowly southwards later on Wednesday morning.
“30-50 mm rain is expected fairly widely, with 50-100 mm across west-facing hills.
“There is a chance a few locations could see in excess of 100 mm during the event, with north Wales the most likely region to see these larger totals.”
Flood Alerts are expected to be issued on the River Wye over the coming hours, with levels now rising at Pant Mawr, Rhayader, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye.
Flooding is also expected on other rivers in Herefordshire, including the River Lugg and River Arrow.
