Potential Severe Flood Warnings for South Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is warning people in South Wales in particular to prepare for potential significant flooding risks overnight.
Persistent and locally heavy rain is expected to lead to flooding impacts, on both rivers and surface water, from the early hours of Monday morning.
The Met Office has updated its Amber warning for rain, highlighting heavy rainfall tonight and into Monday across parts of South and Southwest Wales, with Yellow rain warnings also in place for parts of Northwest and Northeast Wales.
With recent wet weather leaving the ground saturated and rivers already swollen, the likelihood of flooding impacts is higher than usual.
Widespread Flood Alerts have been issued through this afternoon and evening. As river catchments respond, Flood Warnings and further alerts will follow.
NRW’s forecast models are also indicating that Severe Flood Warnings could be issued in some locations in South Wales.
A Flood Alert is the lowest level of flood risk of the flood warning codes. Flooding is most likely to impact travel, recreational land (like parks) or farmland. Flooding is possible and people in these areas should be prepared.
When NRW issues a Flood Warning, it indicates flooding of homes and businesses is expected and people in those areas are urged to take action.
A Severe Flood Warning is the highest level of alert issued by NRW. It means there is a significant risk to life and disruption to communities.
NRW is continuing to monitor the situation closely and its teams are working alongside the Flood Forecasting Centre, emergency responders and Local Authority partners to prepare for this weather, monitoring forecasts and rainfall predictions and providing updates as confidence in the forecasts grows.
NRW is calling on residents and businesses to take steps now to prepare for potential flooding:
Register for NRW’s free flood warning service at wales/flooding or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
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Check the flood warning pages on NRW’s website for local Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings. These pages are updated every 15mins.
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Think about how you can prepare your home and business now. Move valuables and vehicles to a higher location and think about packing a flood kit. NRW’s website has a range of information on how people can prepare for flooding.
Sally Davies, Duty Tactical Manager Wales at Natural Resources Wales, said:
“Our real concern is the potential for Severe Flood Warnings in parts of South Wales, and how this situation could escalate rapidly in the early hours of the morning.
“Flood alerts and warnings will be issued as rivers reach trigger levels, and we want everyone to do all they can to keep themselves safe.
“We’re urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding now. You can check if you live in an area at risk of flooding on our website and sign up for our free flood warning service.
“We do not provide flood warnings for flooding from surface water, so it’s important for everyone to know their flood risk.
“If flooding is possible in your area, think about preparing a flood kit with any important documents and medication, moving your car to higher ground and moving treasured possessions upstairs or to a higher place.”
Flood alerts and warnings are updated on the Natural Resources Wales website every 15 minutes: www.naturalresources.wales/flooding
Information and updates are also available by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.