Residents getting involved to tackle floodwaters in Pontypridd, Wales (Image: Getty)
Authorities in South have declared a major incident after dozens of homes, businesses and a number of schools were affected by flooding as wreaks chaos across the country.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Fire & Rescue, Natural Resources Wales & South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.
The council said the area has seen “significant” flooding with the “impact looking to be more significant than the severe impact experienced during ” in 2020.
Rest centres at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre have been set up to support residents impacted by the catastrophic inundation.
A council spokesperson said: “Throughout the evening the severity of the weather has resulted in widespread impact with over 100 properties potentially flooded, both commercial and residential.
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Major efforts to tackle the floods are underway. (Image: Getty)
“Council assets have also been damaged, with Lido Ponty, Park and Dare Theatre and a number of schools impacted. Impacted schools will send out direct communications to families to make them aware.
“There are a number of highways closures, with a landslip on the Bwlch Mountain Road at Nantymoel closing this road, and South Wales Police closing bridges in Pontypridd.
“The advice to everyone is only travel if absolutely necessary.”
Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said there are about 10 different areas in his constituency affected by flooding and a fundraising page has been set up to support people in need.
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Sir Chris said the river was 53cm higher in Rhondda than it had been during Storm Dennis in February 2020.
“There’s about 10 different areas in the constituency where there’s been flooding, some have flooded previously and others are completely new,” the MP said.
He added that the Rheola pub has been flooded for about the third time in five years and that this time it looked “like a river running through the middle of it”.
“Quite a few of the local people who I’ve spoken to today don’t have any insurance as if you’re hard up it’s the last bill you pay,” Sir Chris.
Residents on Brook Street in Porth had to be evacuated by firefighters, he said.