Carmarthenshire flood recovery underway

Recovery operations are now underway to clear and make safe areas affected by yesterday’s flooding in parts of Carmarthenshire.

Torrential rain and high river levels caused flooding in several areas, in particular in the north of the county around Llanybydder, Newcastle Emlyn and Pontyweli, and in Carmarthen around Pensarn and the Quayside.

Carmarthenshire County Council has worked with Natural Resources Wales and emergency services to prepare for and respond to rising water since warnings were received last week which were upgraded to Amber on Friday.

Pumps were deployed to several areas and flood gates were closed at Abergwili in Carmarthen. Sandbags were deployed to properties at risk and rest centres were on standby in case of evacuation although most people were able to stay in their homes.

Now in recovery mode as flood water recedes, the council is supporting those whose homes and businesses have been affected. Door to door checks and phone-calls are being made today and tomorrow. 

Sweepers are and gully cleansers have been deployed to clear roads of silt and debris before highways can safely re-open. Bridges on main rivers are also being checked.

People are being urged to stay home as per the current level four restrictions, and only to travel if absolutely essential.

Drivers are being warned to take extra care on essential journeys and to watch out for surface water and run-off from fields, as well as debris including branches, twigs and mud. Rivers are still out of channel and it will take some time for water levels to fall back to channel.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Executive Board Member for Environment, said: “I wish to thank everyone who has worked throughout the weekend to respond and react to flooding which has affected several areas of Carmarthenshire. We continue to work alongside key partners as we move into recovery, supporting all those that have been affected.”