(MENAFN) A major emergency has been declared in Monmouth town by the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service on Saturday following extensive and severe flooding caused by Storm Claudia sweeping through the region.

"This is a large-scale incident, and our crews and partners have been working tirelessly through the night and into today to help those affected," said Matt Jones, the fire service's area manager, according to a news agency.

Emergency teams are reportedly conducting rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks, while the public has been strongly advised to avoid the Monmouth area "completely."

As of early Saturday, four severe flood warnings have been issued throughout Wales, indicating that "significant risk to life and significant disruption to the community is expected."

In addition, authorities have issued eight more flood warnings and 39 flood alerts across Wales.
England is facing 81 flood warnings and 187 flood alerts, while Ireland’s meteorological authority, Met Éireann, has also issued weather warnings, anticipating heavy rainfall in several regions.

Power outages and flooding have been reported in parts of Ireland, adding to the growing impact of the storm.

Storm Claudia has also affected southern Portugal, where an 85-year-old British woman tragically died at a campsite in Albufeira, according to a Portuguese broadcaster.

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