Some culverts in Cwmbach provided “inadequate standards of protection” during the floods caused by Storm Dennis, a council report has revealed. The latest section 19 report from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council looking into the causes of flooding during February 2020 said that, following a review, the infrastructure associated with the Cefnpennar Road culvert network is said to have provided inadequate standards of protection in free-flowing and blockage conditions.
It added that the remaining three culvert networks identified as sources of flooding provided adequate protection in free-flowing conditions but despite having enough capacity to manage expected flows, the infrastructure was seen to be in a poor condition and their capacities were “significantly reduced” by debris blockages. The report said the main source of flooding was as a result of significant overland water run-off from the steep hillsides above the village.
It added that the rainwater then drained to lower ground through a series of ordinary watercourses – many of which became overwhelmed with water and debris and overflowed, affecting several properties. The report said the extreme rainfall during Storm Dennis saw internal flooding to 34 properties in Cwmbach, including 18 commercial properties.
