Prepare for flooding impacts across Wales on Monday

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is asking people to be vigilant and prepared as heavy rainfall is expected to lead to flooding and disruption in Wales. 

With rivers already swollen and the ground saturated, we expect to see a number of flood alerts and warnings issued from later on this evening and into the early hours of Monday, December 1.

We also expect surface water issues. 

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning for rain for South Wales between 12am and 11.59pm on Monday.

It covers Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

A Yellow warning for rain covers the rest of Wales during the same period and continues into the early hours of Tuesday, December 2.

People are being urged to consider any steps they may need to take now to be prepared. 

• Register for NRW’s free flood warning service at www.naturalresources.wales/flooding or by calling Floodline on  0345 988 1188. 

• Check the flood warning pages on NRW’s website for local Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings. These pages are updated every 15 minutes.  

• 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.  

We’re calling on people to keep away from swollen riverbanks and not to drive or walk through floodwater. While coastal flood impacts are not currently expected, we’re urging people to remain vigilant.  

Our teams are working alongside the Flood Forecasting Centre, emergency responders and our local authority partners to prepare for this weather, monitoring forecasts and rainfall predictions and providing updates as confidence in the forecasts grows. 

Flood alerts and warnings will be issued by NRW as rivers reach trigger levels. 

Richard Preece, Natural Resources Wales’s Duty Tactical Manager, said: 

“The Amber and Yellow rain warnings in place from the early hours of Monday are expected to bring significant impacts across Wales. With rivers already swollen and the ground saturated, we expect to see a number of flood alerts and warnings issued, with flood warnings indicating flooding is expected.

“We’re urging people to be vigilant and to make preparations for potential flooding. 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. 

“Our thoughts are with those communities who have recently been impacted, and they could potentially be impacted again during this event.

“If flooding is forecast in your area, we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe. 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.  

“We do not provide flood warnings for flooding from surface water, so it’s important for everyone to know their flood risk. 

“Keep an eye on weather forecasts and visit our website for latest information on the flood warnings, and find practical advice on what to do before, during and after a flood.” 

Flood alerts and flood warnings are updated on the Natural Resources Wales website every 15 minutes and are available to view at www.naturalresources.wales/flooding 

Information and updates are also available by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.