There are now 15 flood warnings in place for Wales as well as 34 flood alerts.
Sustained rainfall and winds caused by storms Dudley and Eunice, as well as the upcoming Franklin, has forced Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to issue a series of alerts.
There are three kinds of warnings and alerts that NRW issue- flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings.
The least severe is a flood alert. This means "flooding is possible, be prepared".
Next it is a flood warning which means "Flooding is expected - immediate action required".
The highest level is a severe flood warning which means there is a threat to life.
NRW has issued 15 flood warnings and 34 alerts.
The 15 flood warnings cover the upper parts of the Severn, Wye Teme and Vyrnwy.
These are the 15 flood warnings in place:
River Severn
- Dolwen and Llandinam
- Abermule and Fron
- Aberbechan
- Llandrinio
- Criggion
- Buttington
- Welshpool
- Pool Quay and Trewern
Caerhowel
River Wye
Builth Wells
River Vyrnwy
- Llansantffraid
- Llanymynech
- Meifod area
River Teme
- Knighton
Other
- Lledan Brook in Welshpool
You can seethe latest flood warnings on the NRW website here.
Flood alerts
There are 34 flood alerts in place at present, these cover almost every part of Wales including most rivers, coast lines and The Valleys.
- Clwyd Catchment
- River Cynon
- Rhondda Rivers
- River Taff
- Upper Tawe
- Rivers Llynfi and Ogmore
- River Neath
- River Usk in Monmouthshire and Newport
- River Usk in Powys
- Usk estuary
- Coast from Aberthaw to Severn Bridge
- Swansea Bay and the Gower coast
- Tidal area at Crofty
- Carmarthenshire coast
- Pembrokeshire coast
- Ceredigion coast between Clarach and Cardigan
- Dyfi Catchment
- Lower Dee catchment
- Lower Teifi
- Wye Estuary in Monmouthshire
- Upper Teme upstream and including Knighton
- River Dee in the Lower Dee Valley
- Upper Severn in Powys
- Vyrnwy catchment
- River Wye in Powys
- Rivers Wye and Monnow in Monmouthshire
- Upper Dee catchment
- Swansea Bay and the Gower coast
- Tidal area at Crofty
- Carmarthenshire coast
- Pembrokeshire coast
- Ceredigion coast between Clarach and Cardigan
- Dyfi Catchment
- Lower Dee catchment
- Lower Teifi
- Rivers Bran and Gwydderig
- Upper Towy
- Lower Towy
- Rivers Taf and Cynin
- North Wales coast
- West Anglesey coastline
- Lleyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay coastline
What should I do to prepare for a flood?
According to NRW, you must consider the needs of everyone on your property and make sure everyone knows the escape plan:
- it might be safest to move to a room upstairs, ideally with a window that could be a potential escape route
- if you are in a basement or bungalow, think about where else you could move to for safety
- think about where you could move belongings, upstairs, on top of pieces of furniture or in your car
- store valuable or sentimental items up high all year round
You should also prepare a flood kit of essential items and keep it handy in case you are evacuated and make sure people know where to find it.
This should include:
- copies of your home insurance documents
- a phone charger and battery pack
- a list of important telephone numbers
- a torch with spare batteries
- a radio – on your phone or battery operated
- warm, waterproof clothing and blankets
- a first aid kit and prescription medication
- bottled water and non-perishable food
- baby food and baby care items
- pet supplies
- rubber gloves and wellington boots
- face masks and hand sanitiser
Keep a list of important phone numbers in your flood kit, this should include:
- Floodline 0345 988 1188
- Local authority emergency helpline
- insurance company 24-hour number and your policy number
- local radio station frequency for news alerts and weather updates
- family and neighbours
- work phone numbers
- doctor's surgery
- local police station
- vet/kennel/cattery
- local hotel or B&B
- gas supplier and meter number
- electricity supplier and meter number
- water supplier and meter number
- electrician
- plumber
- builder
Check your insurance
- Confirm you are covered for flooding (ask your insurer, landlord or letting agent).
- Find out if the policy covers alternative accommodation if needed.
- Find out if the policy replaces new for old, and if it has a limit on repairs.
- Don't underestimate the value of your contents.
- Take photos of your property and make a list of your belongings to help with future insurance claims.
- Check your car insurance and what your policy classes as avoidable and unavoidable flood damage.
During a flood, you should turn off gas, electricity, and water.
- The gas valve is usually located next to your gas meter.
- Your electricity main is usually a red switch on your fuse box.
- Your water stopcock is usually under a kitchen sink or where the water pipe enters your home.
Contact your supplier if you don't know how to do this.
