A TRAIL of carnage was left in the wake of Storm Jake after 70mph gusts of wind caused damage to homes and businesses across Aberystwyth.

Much of the town centre was on shut down today as police cordoned off roads, and buildings such as Ceredigion Museum and the Old College were shut after tiles were blown off roofs in Pier Street, Terrace Road, Marine Terrace, and Bath Street.

The risk to life was starkly displayed when several tiles were blown off the roof of the Old College and across King Street, becoming embedded at an angle in the grass outside St Michael’s Church.

Large trees were uprooted in the park on North Road and on Penglais Hill, and damage was caused to one property in Llanfarian after four large trees were uprooted and fell on to the house.

“There was a heck of a rumble and four tress were uprooted in my garden,” said homeowner, Mrs Thomas.

“The surveyors are coming around to assess the damage — the chimney pots have gone.”

Power cuts were also reported in Penrhyncoch and Capel Bangor after damage to an overhead power network in Talybont.

Scottish Power said they quickly fixed the problem and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

A Ceredigion County Council spokesperson said: “The council has assisted the emergency services today by closing certain roads in Aberystwyth to safeguard the public from falling debris, tiles and slates, from various properties.

“These closures will remain in place until such time that the council is advised that the danger and the risk to the public no longer exists and we shall be working closely with the emergency services in respect to this ongoing matter.”

The strong north-westerly winds were associated with Storm Jake, which led the Met Office to issue yellow warnings for wind, snow and ice early this morning.