Storm Bert cost Rhondda Cynon Taf £13m after flooding hit 400 properties. A bridge was swept away again.
The council leader stated many homes flooded. Over 400 properties saw flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf. For some, this was their third time dealing with it lately. Some areas had almost seven inches of rain!
He told a climate committee about Pontypridd. He said the flooding came down from the hills above. River levels passed storm Dennis levels at three valley spots. The Met Office issued a weather warning. It is yellow for wind today.
Another warning exists for wind and rain on Sunday. Most of the country is under these warnings. Cllr Morgan spoke on Thursday, February 20. He leads the Welsh Local Government Association too. The Association represents all 22 Welsh councils.
He said flooding deeply impacted people. He warned some affected people lack insurance. The flooding affected their mental health badly. Their overall wellbeing suffered greatly.
He thinks infrastructure damage will cost £8 million. Replacing a bridge lost in Abercynon adds £5 million. That means storm Bert’s total cost hits £13 million. The bridge suffered much damage during storm Dennis before.
They nearly finished the new bridge work. Completion was slated by February’s end. But storm Bert swept away the entire bridge. Cllr Morgan said the council will create its own warning system. This will supplement Met Office warnings.
The Met Office uses yellow, amber, and red warnings.