The River Ely burst its banks near homes in Cardiff on Sunday morning, flooding roads, railway tracks and areas around St Fagans and Ely Bridge. Police cordoned off Ely Bridge on Cowbridge Road West at around 5am as water rose close to homes and businesses.
Natural Resources Wales issued four flood warnings for Peterston-Super-Ely, St Fagans, Ely Bridge and Talbot Green. Big vacuum trucks were working near Wroughton Place next to Ely Bridge to clear water and stop it reaching properties.
St Fagans and Ely Bridge
In St Fagans, the River Ely caused extensive flooding around the village. Several roads were underwater, the museum was only accessible via the A4232, and vehicles were completely submerged.
Cardiff Bus diverted routes 13, 17/18 and 96 between Victoria Park and Ely via the A4232 and Culverhouse Cross. That left passengers with a longer route while the flooded stretch around the river remained blocked.
Transport for Wales and Great Western Rail
Transport for Wales and Great Western Rail cancelled or delayed services between Cardiff and Bridgend/Swansea because flooding covered part of the line. The disruption was set to continue during the day, which meant rail passengers had to plan around fewer services and slower journeys.
In Peterston-Super-Ely, there was some flooding on the surface of roads, while in Pontyclun the River Ely burst its banks on Saturday evening and properties were very close to being flooded. The river runs from near Tonyrefail into Cardiff Bay, and the flooding came after heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Boelo.
Monday in Wales
Since Friday, more than 40 trees had fallen across Cardiff, and Cardiff Council said it was working to remove them on a priority basis on Sunday morning. Sunday was expected to remain dry, but the Met Office forecast Monday in Wales would bring strengthening winds under persistent rain, with very strong winds and coastal gales.
For people living or travelling along the River Ely, the practical issue on Sunday was not the rain itself but the blocked roads, submerged vehicles and rail closures already in place. The immediate next step was to avoid the flooded stretch around Ely Bridge and use only the Cardiff Bus diversions or rail services once they resumed operating normally.
