Storm Frank hits Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire and Torfaen with heavy rain and high winds

Here's the fire service making it safe.

UPDATE: 9.20pm

Here's the church roof being repaired.

UPDATE: 9.15pm

Here's a round-up of today's weather.

GWENT was battered by strong winds and heavy rain today as Storm Frank swept through the county.

There was heavy rain throughout the day and strong winds, which tore part of the roof off a church in Abercarn.

Natural Resources Wales estimated that the south-south westerly winds were force 7 to 8.

In Caerphilly part of a church;s roof was torn off by the hig winds.

Margerie Evans, secretary the English Baptist Church on Comercial Road, said there were fears the falling roof could have killed someone.

She said: "The fire service have been there all morning trying to make it safe."

Fire crews secured the roof with tarpaulin, before it can be repaired later in the week when the bad weather passes.

The Met Office did not issue any flood alerts or flood warnings for Gwent, but stream banks burst at The Walk in New Inn, Pontypool, at around 11.50am.

Elsewhere in Torfaen, sandbags were requested for flooding at a farm in Cwmbran. A request was made to South Wales Fire and Rescue service from Coed Llwyd Farm in Croesyceiliog at around 11.30am.

In Newport, South Wales Fire and Rescue received a flood watch for the River Usk.

Commuters were left with water up to their ankles at the bus stop at the junction of Star Trading estate in Ponthir after heavy downpours.

In Monmouthshire, a tree fell on a Chepstow house as Storm Frank swept in. The incident took place at an address on Laburnam Way at around 9.45am and a crew from Chepstow attended the scene.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue said the fallen tree caused minor damage to the guttering of the house. 

Traffic wise, the M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions because of the strong winds and diversions were in place.

One lane was also blocked with slow traffic reported on the M4 at lunchtime after a lane closed due to flooding.

The flooded area was on the Malpas straight eastbound near junction 26, with congestion stretching to J29 A48(M).

Elsewhere, firefighters removed 4 x 2m of unstable roof sheeting at the English Baptist Church in Abercarn yesterday to prevent a hazard.

Diversions were in place via the A467 after a crew from Risca attended the scene at 10.50am. They required the assistance of an aerial ladder from Maindee to make the church roof safe.

Newport woman Abi Gwyer, meanwhile, found her trampoline blown across her next door neighbours.

UPDATE: 3.02pm

All lanes have been re-opened on the M4 after flooding at junction 26 at Malpas.

UPDATE: 3.00pm

Fire service crews are currently securing the roof of the English Baptist Church on Comercial Road in Abercarn with a tarpaulin, before it can be repaired later in the week when the bad weather passes.

Margerie Evans, secretary at the church, said: "We were afraid that it would fall off and hurt someone.

"It could have killed them."

She added: "The fire service have been there all morning trying to make it safe.

"It's in the school room belonging to the church."

UPDATE: 2.43PM

Firefighters have been called to flooding in Lamb Lane, Ponthir.

UPDATE: 1.49PM

The Celtic Manor have closed their ice rink because of the bad weather:

Apologies - Due to adverse weather our ice skating rink will be closed all day. Please call 01633 410262 to reschedule or receive a refund.

— Celtic Manor Resort (@TheCelticManor) December 30, 2015

UPDATE: 1.49PM

Firefighters are still at the church on Commercial Road, Cwmcarn which is still closed due to the roof of the Baptist church coming away.

UPDATE: 1.15PM

Flooding near the Star industrial estate in Ponthir. Photos and video (above) taken by Lewis2391UK:

UPDATE: 1.10PM

One lane is blocked and slow traffic reported on the M4 after a lane closed due to flooding.

The flooded area is on the Malpas straight eastbound near junction 26, with congestion stretching to J29 A48(M).

UPDATE: 1.01PM

Service Diversion; fire brigade have closed Cwmcarn due to the roof of Baptist church coming away. They estimate 1.5 hours, divert via A467

— Stagecoach Wales (@StagecoachWales) December 30, 2015

UPDATE: 12.35PM

A TREE fell on a Chepstow house this morning as Storm Frank swept in.

The incident took place at an address on Laburnum Way at around 9.45am.

UPDATE: 12.16PM

Commuters have been left with water up to their ankles at the bus stop at the junction of Star Trading estate in Caerleon after heavy downpours.

@visit_newport @NewportBus @southwalesargus Waiting for the Bus at Starindustrial. Come on sort the drains out. pic.twitter.com/tgPNngDsjn

— Lewis (@Lewis2391UK) December 30, 2015

UPDATE: 12.08PM

South Wales Fire and Rescue have received a flood watch for the River Usk.

UPDATE: 11.58AM

The stream banks have burst in Pontypool, causing flooding at the Walk in New Inn.

UPDATE: 11.40AM

Sandbags have been requested for flooding at a farm in Cwmbran.

A request was made to South Wales Fire and Rescue service from Coed Llwyd Farm in Croesyceiliog at around 11.30am.

UPDATE: 11.20AM

Firefighters removed 4 x 2m of roof sheeting at the English Baptist Church in Abercarn to prevent a hazard.

A crew from Risca attended the scene at 10.50am.

UPDATE: 11.05AM

Newport resident Abi Gwyer, 23, was not surprised when her trampoline was blown next door this morning.

She had to phone her brother to come to her home in Alway to collect and dismantle it.

She said: "I was expecting it with how bad the winds were last night."

UPDATE: 10.30AM

Storm Frank: Tree falls on Chepstow house

The incident took place at an address on Laburnam Way at around 9.45am.

A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue said the fallen tree caused minor damage to the guttering of the house.

UPDATE: 8.35am

Heavy rain now spreading across Wales. Windy too with reports of fallen trees on some roads. Take care if you're driving today.

— Met Office warnings (@metofficeWales) December 30, 2015

UPDATE: 8.16am

The Severn Bridge is closed in both directions between because of strong winds.

UPDATE: 8.07am

The areas affected by high winds and heavy rain in Wales and the West as Storm Frank hits this morning:

UPDATE: 7.32am
Weds 30 Dec

There will be rain through the day with strong winds  up to 25mph. It will stay mild with temperatures around 12C.

UPDATE: 8.45am
Tues 29 Dec

GWENT is again set for heavy rain tomorrow as Storm Frank sweeps in.

Heavy rain and strong winds will deliver a day of gales and there is a risk of some localised flooding and structural damage to buildings.

The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings for heavy and persistent rain for Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen from 12.15am tomorrow until 11.45pm. Rainfall could measure up to 60mm over higher ground.

Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly and will be valid from 6am tomorrow until 3pm.  

The worst of the storm is expected in southern and central Scotland and Cumbria with up to 140mm of rain falling there.