Emergency services are urgently looking for a man who went missing in Storm Bert after he went out in the dangerous weather with his dog. The man is reported to have been out walking his dog in Trefriw area near the Afon Conwy, Wales when he went missing on Saturday.
Three people died in the storm in the UK on Saturday and numerous warnings remain in place – with some area to have high winds into this evening and others to see up to 15cm of rain. Hundreds of flood alerts are in place. The Conwy Valley line, which runs from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Heart of Wales lines – Swansea to Shropshire – is set to be closed all Saturday and Sunday because of the weather.
One of the strongest gusts of the storm was recorded in Capel Curig, Conwy, at 82mph.
A huge search started at 4pm on Saturday after the man was reported missing. Specialist water rescue teams from the fire service were dispatched alongside teams from the police force and the ambulance service.
The HM Coastguard helicopter searched the area using thermal imaging cameras and the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team sent volunteers. A spokesman said the conditions were ‘extremely challenging’.
Water levels alongside the river are very high after torrential rain following days of rain, ice and snow. Boats were dispatched onto the water but the search had to be abandoned on Saturday night.
It will resume on Sunday.