Gallons of dirty water flooded a Swansea foodbank after torrential rain in the city. People across Wales said they experienced the loudest thunder they'd ever heard as a storm hit on Monday night, bringing torrential rain, and the heavy rainfall caused the drains in Gorseinon's High Street to burst, according to locals, causing water to flood several nearby businesses and properties.
Among them was the home of SOS Shelters Wales' foodbank in nearby Lime Street. Founder of the foodbank, Michael Tiley, said he was devastated at the damage caused by the flood - but has praised the tight-knit Gorseinon community for swooping in to help.
He said the damage was so severe, and so many donations ruined - that the bank was unable to open today (Tuesday, September 6). He was hoping that, with the help of volunteers and local people, he would be able to re-open the foodbank next Tuesday. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Read more: More thunderstorms forecast for Wales by the Met Office after 30,000 lightning strikes on Monday
To replace the service today, generous volunteers were setting up a 'Food Share Table' beneath a gazebo outside the foodbank and those planning on visiting the foodbank today were invited to collect any items they needed from there instead. People were being warned, however, that there would be far fewer items than usual due to the flood ruining so many donations.
Speaking as he and volunteers began the huge clean-up effort, Michael, 62, said: "It's all very busy at the moment as we try and fix what's happened, the flooding was up to one-foot deep in some parts. But we've got to get up and get it sorted [so we can help people]. We won't be opening today as we've got so much to do."
"It's the second time this has happened," he added. "Twelve months ago it was the same thing, the drains on the main street in Gorseinon lifted and water crossed from the other side of the road and flooded us." You can read more stories about Gorseinon here.
His came hours after he shared a video of the flooding on social media, sayin he was "devastated", but praising the fire service for their "fantastic" response in pumping much of the water out. He also praised the many members of the local community who had offered to help fix the damage and all those that had donated cleaning items and food donations.
"I just want to say thankyou to the people of Gorseinon and local businesses for being so supportive, they're amazing," he said. "We've got people bringing us mops and buckets to help us clear up, and our volunteers are working tirelessly."
'Our volunteers are amazing - can anyone else come down and help?'
Sharing photos of a generous donation of cleaning products, Mr Tiley added: "Big thankyou to Stephen Brace of Carpets Gorseinon, [he has] just been out shopping for us for cleaning products and dropped off to us. Supported SOS from day one. We will be at the Food Bank from 12pm to start the clean up after major flood."
Michael and his volunteers are appealing to anyone in the Gorseinon area with free time this week to lend a hand and help them recover, if they can. In a call for help on social media, he wrote: "Jack Army: needed tomorrow [Tuesday] from 12pm midday at SOS Shelters Wales. Flash flood - we are not DIY SOS on TV but [we've] been hit by flashflood and cannot open tomorrow to our service users.
"It has been devastating the damage from our second flood, from the main road bursting drains from the main street. We hate to ask, but more hands make lighter work. Our volunteers are amazing - can you help?"
There's also an Amazon Wishlist where people can donate items to the foodbank quickly and easily. To contact Michael and the team at the foodbank, follow SOS Shelters Wales on Facebook here. Alternatively, you can donate to the Amazon Wishlist online here.
SOS Shelters Wales foodbank is located at 63 Lime Street, Gorseinon, SA4 4EE, and is typically open on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm. As well as the food bank, volunteers also manage a 'Food Share Table' outside the food bank on some weeks, to further help members of the community and to help reduce food waste. The foodbank is open to all, but is especially aimed at people living in local areas including Pontlliw, Gowerton, Penllergaer, Loughor, Penyrheol, Gorseinon and Grovesend.
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