Wales’ First Minister Calls for Improved Flood Warnings

The First Minister of Wales has stated that improved flood warning systems are necessary for the country following the extensive damage caused to residences and commercial properties by Storm Bert. These remarks from Eluned Morgan come amidst grievances regarding the alerts issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Met Office. Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, informed the Senedd that certain residents were only alerted to the flooding situation when informed by their neighbours. The Welsh government verified that 433 properties throughout Wales experienced flooding over the weekend. Following the landslip in Cwmtillery, Morgan encountered demands from Labour in Westminster for increased funding for coal tip safety; however, the First Minister indicated that it would be “difficult” to allocate more than the £25 million already provided. She expressed her “confidence” that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer would supply additional funds, though Plaid Cymru criticized her as being “out of touch”. Within the Senedd, she pledged financial assistance to households, amounting to £1,000 for those without insurance and £500 for those with insurance. This is supplementary to the £1,000 grants made available to small and medium-sized businesses and residents by Rhondda Cynon Taf council. On Tuesday, advisories to boil water were disseminated across certain areas of the Rhondda valleys. Concurrently, Blaenau Gwent council instructed residents in Cwmtillery to refrain from returning to their homes, except for retrieving possessions in a “managed way”. The council stated its efforts were focused on facilitating a “safe return” for individuals residing in the impacted region. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), an agency supervised by Morgan’s Welsh government, announced on Monday its intention to investigate allegations that warnings were issued with insufficient timeliness. Additionally, on Monday, Andrew Morgan, the Labour leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, voiced concerns regarding the yellow weather warning disseminated by the Met Office. Davies, the Tory Senedd leader, informed the Senedd that a “greater warning” could have enabled the implementation of “more preventative measures”. He asserted that there was a “genuine point” concerning the yellow warning issued, given the forecast “that a month’s rain was going to fall in a 24/36 hour period”. Davies noted that in some of Pontypridd’s most severely impacted areas, residents’ initial awareness of the flooding occurred “when neighbours were going from house to house”, knocking on doors. He claimed a failure to assimilate past lessons and establish an effective alert process. The First Minister stated that Natural Resources Wales disseminated 131 alerts and warnings, “including two severe flood warnings with over 95,000 messages sent”, which reached 46,000 individuals. “So they did quite a lot,” Morgan commented, adding, “The question is, could they have done more?” Subsequently, in her reply to Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth, she further stated: “I accept that people need better warning, and that is something clearly that will need to be discussed with NRW and the Met Office.” Morgan announced that a meeting involving NRW and various councils is scheduled for the upcoming week. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed on Tuesday that a minimum of 455 properties had experienced internal flooding. In a declaration to the Senedd, he reported that 125 properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf had sustained internal flooding. Merthyr Tydfil recorded 90 properties affected by flooding, Blaenau Gwent 75, Monmouthshire 50, Caerphilly 50, and Torfaen 15. Additionally, six properties were impacted in Powys, six in Carmarthenshire, three in Bridgend, three in Flintshire, two in Cardiff, and one in Neath Port Talbot. During the First Minister’s question time, Morgan defended the Welsh government’s performance regarding flood defences, four years subsequent to Storm Dennis striking Wales. She noted that rainfall had been more frequent and intense in certain areas, leading to higher river levels, yet considerably fewer homes were impacted compared to 2020. Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru criticized the £25 million allocated by the UK government for coal tip safety, following the landslip that occurred on Sunday at Cwmtillery. He cited estimates indicating a potential cost of £600 million over a period of 10 to 15 years, stating: “These tips need to be made safe and urgently.” Morgan remarked that the preceding Conservative government had provided nothing “for four years”. She expressed being “really pleased that the first Labour government answered our request for £25m, which is what we asked for, because we recognise this is a 10 to 15 year project”. She explained: “There will be limits of being able to absorb additional money, because there will be limits in terms of expertise [and] equipment.” She further elaborated: “If they gave us the money, it would be very difficult to use it all up because of the lack of expertise that we need to build up.” Nevertheless, she affirmed that the Welsh government intends to request additional funds, stating: “I am very confident that he will be forthcoming, as he was last time”. “This shows a deeply worrying lack of urgency by a first minister who is clearly out of touch,” ap Iorwerth commented subsequently. A boil water advisory was issued on Tuesday for the areas of Blaenrhondda, Blaencwm, Tynewydd, Treherbert, Treorchy, Cwm-parc, Pentre, Ton Pentre, Gelli, and Tonypandy. This measure by Dwr Cymru followed significant flooding at the Tynywaun Water Treatment Works in Treherbert. Water bottle distribution points are being established for customers in Rhondda Cynon Taf areas affected by the ‘boil water’ notice. The Welsh government announced on Tuesday that it is allocating funds to eligible local authorities to facilitate immediate financial aid. This provision enables local authorities to extend grants of £500, or £1,000 for uninsured households, to those impacted. The discretionary assistance fund is accessible to individuals facing severe financial hardship, and the Development Bank of Wales has the capacity to provide loans to businesses significantly affected.