About 150 people had to be rescued from homes and caravans today after severe floods hit west Wales.
Holidaymakers and residents were helped to safety by fire crews, coastguard lifeboats and military helicopters when water swept through caravan parks and villages near Aberystwyth.
An inshore lifeboat team taking part in the rescue operation had to be airlifted when they got into difficulties after helping to pluck a disabled man from a flooded caravan because a Royal Air Force (RAF) helicopter was 20 minutes flying time away.
Four holiday camps along the River Lery were completely evacuated when the swollen waters breached its banks, and 150 people were sheltering in rest centres having been rescued, police said.
Dozens of people took refuge in a community centre in Talybont when flood water surged through the village and three people were winched away from the Riverside Caravan Park in Llandre by RAF Sea King helicopters.
Dyfed-Powys Police said three people needed treatment for minor injuries.
The alarm was raised in the early hours after more than five inches of rain fell in 24 hours.
Environment Agency Wales has five flood warnings in place.
