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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
John Cooper

Kayakers spotted in raging river Dee during Storm Ciara

After a day of extreme weather across Wales, a group of Kayakers were seen taking advantage of the floodwaters in Llangollen.

Over 30 flood warnings were in place across the country for most of Sunday, February 9, as Storm Ciara brought chaos to transport networks, power cuts, fallen trees and flooding.

You can see the latest updates on Storm Ciara on our live blog.

One town in north Wales, Llanrwst, suffered serious flood damage with images of submerged cars and rushing water shared on social media by its residents. 

However, the flood warnings didn't deter one group of water sports enthusiasts who braved the white water on the River Dee with their kayaks on Sunday.

Some praised their bravery but others expressed concern that they were putting their lives at risk on a day when the emergency services were heavily stretched.

A flood warning was in place for the River Dee on Sunday (Janette Hyde)
Four kayakers approach Llangollen Bridge (Janette Hyde)

The video was captured by Llangollen resident, Janette Hyde, who was braving the wind and crossing the river at the Llangollen Bridge to buy a newspaper.

"I live in Llangollen by the castle and we were on our way over the bridge when I saw the kayakers.

"It was major windy last night and we had a few trees down but I think it's great to see people getting out and enjoying themselves in Llangollen like this," she said.

One of the kayakers makes it through the white water (Janette Hyde)
The kayakers passed under Llangollen Bridge (Janette Hyde)

Mrs Hyde added that Llangolen was a "vibrant and positive," place and wasn't surprised to see people out enjoying the river, even in a storm.

The video shows four people in kayaks paddling through white water before disappearing under the Llangollen bridge.

There was a flood warning in force in the Upper Dee Valley between Llanuwchllyn and Llangollen from 11:55am on Sunday, which was still in place at time of publishing.

A flood warning means that flooding is expected and that imminent action is required.       

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