HOUSES were struck by lightning, homes were left without power and drivers faced rush-hour misery as storms battered Gwent today.

Emergency services were kept busy with hundreds of calls about incidents around the area and some homes and roads were flooded because of torrential downpours.

The pool at Newport International sports village was struck by lightning and was closed because of power failure this morning. It was due to re-open later.

And a pensioner couple in Manorbier Drive, Llanyravon, were treated for shock after a bolt of lightning struck their home and caused a roof fire.

About 2,000 homes in Pontypool were without power this morning, after lightning struck overhead electric lines in Panteg at about 6am.

Supplies were restored to some properties by 7.30am and it was hoped to have everyone back on by 9am.

Lightning is also believed to have caused a roof fire in Jerusalem Lane, New Inn, near Pontypool, at about 6am.

A terrified Newport woman was flung out of bed by the force of a lightning bolt which struck a neighbouring house.

Beverley Evans, 47, said it was like something out of the film The Exorcist when lightning struck a house in Dean Street at about 4.15am.

The bolt obliterated a chimney stack and police cordoned off the house until the roof was made safe.

"I was lying in bed and I saw the lightning," she said. "I pulled the quilt over my head and then there was an almighty bang.

"The bedroom was lit up blue, the bed shook and the next thing I was lying on the floor in shock. I was thrown out of bed like something out of The Exorcist.

"I was screaming and my husband went to the window to see what was happening. All the car alarms were going off and we rang the police.

"The explosion sounded like a nuclear bomb: we thought it was the beginning of war.

"I was so scared I thought I was going to have a heart attack."

Mrs Evans, who is married to 60-year-old Terry, said she was sick after the explosion.

"Next time there is a storm, I will be terrified."

Widower Ted Jones, 78, whose chimney stack was destroyed said he was still in shock.

"I can't believe this has happened," said the retired postman, a grandfather of four.

"There was a massive bang. But at least there is less chance of it happening again as lightning is not supposed to strike twice in the same place."

An insurance company is expected to assess the damage to the roof today.

A South Wales Fire Service spokesman said a house in Pilton Vale, Malpas, was also struck by lightning but suffered no damage.

Firefighters were this morning dealing with a number of flooding incidents.

Properties in Magor were affected because drains could not cope with the volume of water and crews were pumping out and firefighters were also called out to deal with flooding in Bulwark, in Chepstow.

Some roads were flooded, including the Southern Distributor Road in Newport. The M4 near Newport was reduced to two lanes and drivers had to swerve to avoid the excess water.

The A48 between Chepstow and Langstone, and Upper Dock Street, in Newport city centre, were also affected.

An accident closed the M48 between junction 2 and junction 23a on the M4 at Magor.