MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT Jonathan Edwards and Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas were at County Hall discussing the effects of flooding across Carmarthenshire. Having been contacted by constituents trying to stop water from entering their homes, the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr politicians met today with Carmarthenshire Council Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole and Executive Board Member for Technical Services, Cllr Hazel Evans, to learn about the preparations and contingency plans put in place by the council to assist local residents. The council leaders were able to outline how staff had been providing sand bags to properties across the county, that road closure warning signs were being erected in necessary places, and how the council’s Contact Centre is on hand 24 hours a day for residents to phone if concerned or affected by rising water levels.
Urging residents to stay alert of rising water levels, Jonathan Edwards MP said: “The majority of houses along the flood alert areas will undoubtedly have experience of rising water levels and already receive the necessary alerts. But I have been contacted this week by constituents who live nowhere near rivers but are having to stop significant amounts of surface water from entering their property. “With the rain expected to continue over the holiday season, there is a real risk that more and more people will be affected by flooding. “Our usual Christmas discussion on the levels of salt available to treat roads for frost has been replaced by a discussion on the use of sand to protect homes from flooding. “A series of agencies are doing some sterling work, not least the council staff who are delivering sand bags across the county.
“I would urge all residents to remain vigilant of the rising water levels, keep up-to-date with weather warnings from the Met Office, and be sure to check flood alerts and advice from the Natural Resources Wales website which is updated every 15 minutes. “The Council’s Contact Centre is open 24 hours a day, including through the Christmas holidays, to assist anybody in the county. The centre, which can be contacted on 01558 824283, will be able to help in liaising with different agencies if anybody is concerned or affected by rising water levels.” at the time of going to press, Natural Resources Wales had four flood alerts in place for Carmarthenshire across the Towy and Teifi and Amman rivers, and those feeding into them.
Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM added: “We’re grateful that the council leaders agreed to meet today and reassure us that the authority is prepared for the continuous rain which is due over the next few days. “With the ground already saturated, it is inevitable that water levels with rise further, potentially affecting more people and their properties. “With emergency services likely to face increased pressures this Christmas, it’s important that residents pay attention to all the warnings available such as not trying to pass through roads deep in water. Doing so could be dangerous, and is likely to detract the emergency services from other non-preventable situations. “I would also urge residents to remain vigilant of the rising water levels and keep up-to-date with weather warnings from the Met Office and Natural Resources Wales. “The Council’s Contact Centre on 01558 824283 will certainly be useful to any concerned residents. In the event of an emergency, however, do not hesitate to contact the emergency services.”
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