Council Leader Alleges Flood Warnings Were Over an Hour Late

A council leader has asserted that those affected by flooding during Storm Bert might have received warnings over an hour earlier. Devastating floods impacted parts of south Wales, prompting strong criticism from politicians and local residents regarding what they termed a lack of preparation and inadequate warnings. Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, stated that Natural Resources Wales (NRW), an environment body, possessed data indicating high river levels for more than an hour before residents were notified. David Letellier, NRW’s head of South Wales Central operations, conveyed the organization’s sympathy to all those impacted, further noting that it “took an active approach to communicating updates on the expected and actual impact”. He also stated: “In the lead up to any significant rainfall event, we work with our colleagues at the Met Office and the Flood Forecasting Centre, and use the modelling and forecasts available to us to ensure our teams are prepared and ready to respond. ”Our rainfall and river gauge network are also constantly in operation. Given the uncertainty around the potential impacts of this event, we took steps from Wednesday last week to make sure our response team rotas were well staffed and prepared to tackle whatever the storm would bring. “Our message to professional partners and the public from Wednesday last week ahead of Storm Bert was that significant flooding was possible across Wales and to be prepared.” Residential and commercial properties in Pontypridd suffered the main impact of the recent storm, four years after the town was similarly affected by Storm Dennis. The Rhondda Cynon Taf council announced a major incident over the weekend, attributing it to “significant flooding”. The council reported that 200 properties were impacted, as over a month’s worth of rain fell within a brief duration. Morgan held a meeting with NRW on Tuesday, stating he “challenged” officials regarding the flood warning timings on Sunday. He stated: “I presented their own evidence to them, from their own statistics at NRW, which showed for example that river levels at Gelli and Tynewydd in Rhondda, and Aberdare, at 06:30 matched Storm Dennis levels,”. He continued: “Yet, it took an hour and 11 minutes before a flood warning was issued to the people of Pontypridd.” He added: “By then… the water was already a foot deep in the streets and the river was flooding.” He asserted that the existing system and its trigger mechanisms “are not fit for purpose”. He further commented: “If the systems worked correctly, and these people did not get a warning until there’s water in their houses, there is something wrong,”. He concluded: “If we would have known, with an hour’s notice, that there was a likelihood of flooding, we would have done our best to at least get sandbags there.” He had previously expressed being “amazed” that the Met Office had issued only a yellow weather warning. The Met Office stated it would undertake a comprehensive assessment, yet maintained that the storm had been “well forecast” in advance, with multiple warnings disseminated. A significant clean-up operation has been ongoing in the town since the storm. The grade II-listed lido in Pontypridd’s Ynysangharad War Memorial Park has been closed due to damage and is not expected to reopen before the end of next week. However, RCT council expressed optimism that the annual 26 December swim at the lido might still take place. In Abercynon, a bridge that was under construction, replacing one damaged by Storm Dennis, was entirely swept away. Morgan stated: “We are talking millions of pounds worth of damage,”. He added: “Dozens and dozens of contractors have cleaned the streets. Skips are outside people’s houses.” He also remarked: “Having this happen four weeks before Christmas is devastating.” He further noted that the council plans to provide financial aid from emergency funds to individuals impacted by Storm Bert, including grants of £1,000 for both residents and small to medium-sized businesses. This assistance is in addition to the Welsh government’s offer of £1,000 for uninsured households and £500 for those with insurance. It was confirmed that 433 properties throughout Wales experienced flooding over the weekend. Additionally, Wales’ First Minister, Eluned Morgan, has stated that the nation requires improved flood warnings.