Pontypridd residents angry after Storm Bert causes flooding

Politicians and residents in south Wales have lashed out at what they say is a lack of preparation and insufficient warning for Storm Bert, which led to devastating floods.

Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council, said he was “amazed” that only a yellow weather warning was put in place, saying an amber warning was expected.

Rhondda and Ogmore MP Sir Chris Bryant and Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales Central Heledd Fychan also criticised the timings of warnings.

The Met Office said it would conduct a full assessment but that the storm was “well forecast” in advance with a number of warnings issued.

In Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, residents said lessons were not learned from Storm Dennis, which left much of the town under water in 2020.

Resident John Pockett said: “The one thing I think is appalling in this is: where was the warning? Nobody had heard anything at all.”

On Monday, the clean-up operation continued as 30 schools were closed, most in Caerphilly and Monmouthshire, and flood alerts remained in place.

These included two severe flood warnings, with significant risk to life and disruption to the community, near the River Monnow in Osbaston and Skenfrith in Monmouthshire, but these have since been lifted.

A landslip near Pontypool, Torfaen, led to the closure of the Newport to Shrewsbury train line, Network Rail said.

In former mining community Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, a landslip left buildings deep in sludge and mud as water poured down what appeared to be a street.

Some homes were evacuated as a result, with resident Wayne Green saying he was looked after in a leisure centre until accommodation was found at about 01:30 GMT.

Firefighters had to evacuate a family from their home near Wrexham after a tree crashed through the wall of the house due to floodwater.

Trevor Baters from Llansantffraid Glyn Ceiriog Community Council said it was “devastating to see”.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said talks were under way for possible emergency funding.

“The severity and frequency of these events is something we all need to be aware of,” she said, adding “hundreds of millions of pounds have been put into flood defences in Wales over the past few years,” she said.

Bryant said people in his constituency, which includes Pontypridd, were “utterly miserable” and added he did not understand why a more significant alert was not put in place on Saturday evening.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies questioned whether the warning was severe enough when the “forecast was so dire”.

He said: “Given that these areas, such as Pontypridd, were so badly impacted in 2020, we have to ask why lessons have not been learnt.”

It came after council leader Morgan said he was “surprised” a red warning was not in place for Storm Bert.

“During Storm Dennis we did see an amber warning well in advance, and a red warning issued in the early hours,” he said.

He also said between 200 and 300 properties were affected, with the rainfall surpassing some records set by Storm Dennis in 2020.

He added one bridge that was under construction, and which was replaced after Storm Dennis, was completely washed away.

Sian Williams from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said the government body would “absolutely” look into complaints that warnings came too late.

NRW monitors river levels and Ms Williams said for each river initial flood alerts were issued on Saturday evening.

“We completely understand people’s frustration, but we do need to look into why that was and what could have been done differently, and how we can improve on that in the future,” she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

Fychan said the warnings came “far too late” and added there would be lots of questions over why lessons were not learned from 2020.

“It’s just by luck that it wasn’t worse this time.”

Paula Williams, whose house is on Sion Street in Pontypridd next to the River Taff, said she only knew about the flooding on Sunday morning because a neighbour came knocking on her door.

She said NRW did not listen to warnings from residents raised the last time there was flooding.

“This time, there’s only about four inches of water come in but it’s in exactly the same place that we told NRW about last time,” she said.

“They’ve tried to convince everybody that the flood defences worked. I have got videos proving the flood defences don’t work.”

She said it was the community fighting to protect the homes that stopped the flooding being as bad as in 2020.

Elsewhere in Wales, Connor Turner, landlord of the Vine Tree in Crickhowell, Powys, only finished redecorating the pub a few days ago.

The business, on the south bank of the Usk, had undergone a full refurbishment.

On Sunday they had to close the restaurant because of the flooding and cancel all the bookings.

“For some reason it has become a normality. There needs to be a permanent solution,” he said.

He added he was not sure who to be angry with.

“People are saying we have just got to be resilient. Surely there is a permanent solution, that is the annoyance here.”

Devon Eason, club manager of Blackwood Rugby Club, Caerphilly, said he was “devastated” after the club’s building and grounds were damaged by the flood.

He spent thousands refurbishing the facilities just a few months ago, and the club have had to cancel several events while they try and rebuild the facilities.

“We finished the function room about two months ago, with all new carpets, tables, chairs and toilets. So I am absolutely gutted,” he said.

Mr Eason said 50 to 60 members of the community showed up bringing water vacuums and sandbags.

Newport High School Old Boys Rugby Club was also hit by flooding.

In a post on X, Sir Keir Starmer thanked the emergency services for protecting communities.

The Welsh government said: “Our thoughts are with those who have suffered flooding to their homes and businesses. The trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated.”

Simon Brown, services director at the Met Office, said: “As always with a named storm, a full assessment of the forecast and warning strategy will take place with our partners. I would expect this to take place over the coming days.

“The warnings covering Wales highlighted the potential for homes and businesses to flood with fast flowing or deep floodwater was possible, causing a danger to life.“

Additional reporting by Oscar Edwards, James McCarthy and Charlie Buckland