Further Flash Floods as Heavy Rain / Thunder and Lightning Hits Wrexham Causing House Fire
Heavy rain and thunder and lightning have hit Wrexham this afternoon – once again causing flash floods across parts of the county.
Yesterday Wrexham.com reported that a yellow weather warning for thundery showers and potential flash flooding had been forecast with readers noting our speculation if the storms further west would actually hit us – with some forecasts saying no rain was due.
The county was hit with thunder and lightning shortly after 2pm this afternoon, with torrential rain quickly causing issues on the road and flash flooding.
A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a lightning strike caused the house fire in Rhosrobin this afternoon. Two crews and an aerial ladder are still in attendance at the scene, with the lightning strike affecting four homes. However only one of the homes suffered a fire.
Wrexham Council have also: “Due to heavy rainfall it has been necessary to close the road by the Chester Road/Smith Lane junction.”
Several people have been in touch saying some shops in Gwersyllt including Iceland and Home Bargains were ‘evacuated’ and closed after rain poured through the roof.
Gill told us: “There was a huge leak with fears for safety because of the electrics. Vast amount of water where the roof had gone near the main door, also further leak over one of the aisles. My opinion is there has been a small collapse – but I don’t know for sure. The staff were very helpful.”
@wrexham Gwersyllt to town road… pic.twitter.com/3izwVpFMHx
— Ian (@IanAHHH) June 14, 2016
Along with the reports of a roof leak in Home Bargains, just a few stores down there has been a roof leak in Iceland. Kevin sent us the video below of water leaking into the building.
Across Wrexham there have been reports of flash flooding and overflowing drains. Motorists are being advised to take extra precautions when heading out.
Perhaps unsurprisingly Rhosddu bridge is particularly bad, with Lou telling us that the road has been closed by police. (Thanks to Zoe for the video below!)
PC Thomas Hough has issued the following advice this afternoon: “Calls are coming in thick and fast about flooding, please drive to the conditions and only make journeys if they are important.”
Robin sent us the video below of the flooding that has appeared quite quickly in Rhosrobin!
New Broughton has also been hit with heavy floods this afternoon – with Angela sending us this video
Niccy took this picture of the flood over the old Wrexham to Chester road by the Beeches Pub:
People are also being advised to avoid Rhosddu Road, with Ellen telling Wrexham.com that there are ‘really bad driving conditions’.
There are also reports of issues of Smithy Lane, with @FieryTwoozles describing the road is like a ‘lake’.
The road has since been closed off, with Wrexham Council stating: “Due to heavy rainfall it has been necessary to close the road by the Chester Road/Smith Lane junction. Hopefully will reopen soon.”
Claire Howells sent Wrexham.com the below image of the road closure – however as of 4:35pm we have been told that water is slowing starting to go down in the park / on the road.
A spokesperson for Wrexham Council confirmed to Wrexham.com that there have been flooding related issues reported in Gwersyllt, the Mold Road/BQ area, Penley and Brynteg.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance at several flooding related incidents across the county. Two crews and an officer are also tackling a house fire in the Rhosrobin area.
A number of rail services have also been cancelled this afternoon, with the Wrexham General to Maesteg and Cardiff Central to Holyhead services being terminated in Wrexham due to lightning damaging the signalling system.
“Lightning has damaged the signalling equipment near Wrexham General. This means that trains between Wrexham General and Chester will be delayed by up to 60 minutes or cancelled. This is expected to continue until 16:30.”
Have you got any pictures or videos of the flooding in Wrexham this afternoon? Feel free to email them to us at [email protected]!
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