Natural Resources Wales has issued 35 flood alerts across the country ahead of what is expected to be a horribly rainy day
Communities across Wales are bracing for more flooding as persistent heavy rain continues to sweep across the country. Recent wet weather has left the ground saturated and rivers swollen, raising the likelihood of flooding in both rural and urban areas, particularly in parts of west, mid, and south Wales.
The warnings come shortly after the Met Office issued a yellow rainfall alert for Sunday evening before an amber “danger to life” warning is in many parts of Wales on Monday. Forecasters expect between 20mm and 30mm of rain in some areas by midnight on Sunday, December 14, with the heaviest downpours predicted in Bridgend, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea, and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Then a further 50-80mm is likely to fall quite widely in parts of west, south and mid Wales on Monday. The amber warning covers a large swathe of the country. Places set for a huge amount of rain on Monday are below.
Amber warning covers many areas on Monday
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Carmarthenshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Pembrokeshire
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Swansea
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
According to the Met Office homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, delays and cancellations to transport services are likely, and there are likely going to be difficult driving conditions. The forecaster also predicts a good chance communities will be cut off by flooded roads and power cuts are likely.
It comes as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issues one major flood warning and 35 flood alerts, covering rivers and coastal areas nationwide. You can see the areas at most risk according to NRW below.
Flooding expected – immediate action required:
- River Ewenny at Ewenny Village. NRW says river levels are expected to rise in the area and flooding to properties is expected. The situation is expected to get worse from around 4am as the Ewenny at Keepers Lodge is expected to continue to rise.
Flooding possible – be prepared:
- Conwy catchment
- North Gwynedd catchment
- River Erch at Abererch
- Western Cleddau
- Rivers Taf and Cynin
- River Cothi
- Lower Towy
- Rivers Bran and Gwydderig
- River Usk in Monmouthshire and Newport
- River Lugg in Powys
- River Arrow in Powys
- River Wye in Powys
- River Usk in Powys
- Rivers Ebbw, Sirhowy, and Lwyd
- River Rhymney
- Rivers Colwyn and Glaslyn at Beddgelert
- Rhondda Rivers
- River Taff
- River Cynon
- River Ely
- River Cadoxton
- River Thaw
- River Ewenny and Vale of Glamorgan west
- Rivers Afan and Kenfig
- Rivers Llynfi and Ogmore
- River Neath
- Rivers Nant-Y-Fendrod and Nant Bran
- Upper Tawe
- Lower Tawe
- Rivers in Llanelli
- Rivers Loughor and Amman
- Gower peninsula
- Rivers Gwendraeths
- Glaslyn and Dwyryd catchment
- South Pembrokeshire
What the alerts mean
NRW issues flood warnings at three levels:
- Flood alert: Lowest level; flooding may affect travel, parks, or farmland. Residents should be prepared.
- Flood warning: Flooding of homes and businesses is expected; immediate action is required.
- Severe flood warning: Highest level; indicates a significant risk to life and major disruption to communities.
Widespread flood alerts are in effect, and as river catchments respond to the rain, flood warnings and potentially severe flood warnings could follow, particularly in south Wales. NRW teams are closely monitoring forecasts, working with the Flood Forecasting Centre, emergency responders, and local authorities to provide timely updates.
How you can prepare
Authorities are urging residents and businesses to act now:
- Sign up for NRW’s free flood warning service at NRW Flooding or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
- Check flood warnings online, updated every 15 minutes.
- Prepare homes and businesses: move valuables and vehicles to higher ground, pack a flood kit with essential documents and medication, and consider moving treasured possessions upstairs.
- Put flood gates and other protection equipment in place.
- Turn off gas, electricity, and water.
- Do not touch plugs and other sources of electricity when standing in flood water.
- Move your car to higher ground or outside the flood risk area.
Following the update, Sally Davies, duty tactical manager Wales at NRW, said: “Our real concern is the potential for severe flood warnings in parts of south Wales, and how this situation could escalate rapidly in the early hours of the morning. We’re urging people to be vigilant and make preparations for potential flooding now.”
NRW reminds residents that while surface water flooding warnings are not issued, everyone should understand their risk and take precautions. Flood alerts and warnings are updated every 15 minutes on the NRW website.
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