Following the catastrophic impact of Storm Bert in south Wales, politicians and residents are expressing their outrage over what they perceive as inadequate preparation and insufficient warnings. The storm resulted in significant flooding, prompting urgent calls for an investigation into the warning protocols that were in place.
Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council, voiced his astonishment that only a yellow weather warning was issued, despite expectations for an amber alert. This sentiment was echoed by local MP Sir Chris Bryant and Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan, who both criticized the timing of the warnings.
The Met Office stated that Storm Bert was “well forecast” with multiple warnings issued beforehand, but acknowledged the need for a full assessment of the situation.
Residents from Pontypridd lamented that lessons from previous storms had not been learned. Local resident John Pockett highlighted the lack of timely communication about the impending floods, noting that many were left unaware until it was too late.
As cleanup operations commenced on Monday, around 30 schools were closed across Caerphilly and Monmouthshire due to ongoing flood alerts. Severe flood warnings had been in place near the River Monnow but were later lifted. Disruptions included a landslip near Pontypool that shut down train services on the Newport to Shrewsbury line.
In Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, heavy mudslides forced evacuations, while some residents were temporarily sheltered in leisure centers. Firefighters also responded to emergencies where families had to be rescued from homes damaged by falling trees.
First Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed discussions were underway for potential emergency funding to aid affected communities. She emphasized the increasing frequency and severity of such weather events and noted that hundreds of millions have already been invested in flood defenses across Wales.
Local leaders have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing flood defenses. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies questioned why more robust alerts weren’t issued given past experiences with flooding in areas like Pontypridd.
Residents have voiced their frustrations over inadequate communication from authorities during crises. Paula Williams, a resident near the River Taff, expressed disbelief at how little improvement had been made since prior floods.
Many community members are calling for sustainable solutions instead of temporary fixes. Connor Turner, a pub landlord affected by flooding just days after completing renovations, lamented the repeated nature of these disasters.
The Welsh government extended its support to those impacted by flooding and acknowledged the trauma caused by such events. Simon Brown from the Met Office assured that a comprehensive review of their warning systems would be conducted to improve future responses.
As communities begin to recover from Storm Bert’s devastation, there is an urgent need for accountability and enhanced preparedness to protect against similar occurrences in the future.
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