Storm Bert – Update

RCT Council say the £1000 Community Flood Recovery Grant is now available for residents and businesses who suffered internal flooding during Storm Bert. Applications need to be made via their website at: http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/FloodingHelp

They say they’re asking people to apply so they have correct bank details so payments can be processed as quickly as possible, but also so we can provide additional support such as council tax and business rate exemptions as well as arrange collection of damaged items from properties with no on-street skips.

Additionally the Welsh Government have now confirmed additional payments of £1000 for uninsured households and £500 for those with households impacted by internal floodingand this payment will be made via RCT Council too using the details provided.

They say their staff will continue to support residents dealing with the devasting impact of flooding, with nearly 150 properties contacted so far since Monday morning but they say its important they are told about isolated incidents of internal flooding not so far reported to the Council so the people in those properties can also access the range of support.

In particular they’ll be in Berw Road Pontypridd and Britannia Street in Porth from 10am until 4pm today, At Oxford Street Car Park in Mountain Ash tomorrow from 1pm until 5 and on Friday at Aberdare Library and Sion Street Cwmbach from 10am till 4pm offering advice and assistance to those who have been affected by flooding.

By yesterday the Council had confirmed internal flooding at 125 properties, but although that’s less than a tenth of the number affected by Storm Dennis, the council recognises the impact on residents and businesses affected is just as significant and they are here to support them.

And although they’ve had no requests from residents for emergency housing their Housing team is available to those who need help.

Meanwhile in Pontypridd while the clean up of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park and Lido Ponty continues the park will remain closed until at least Thursday.

But the Bwlch Mountain Road from Treorchy to Nantymoelhas now reopened after a landslip caused by Storm Bert was cleared.

Meanwhile Welsh Water is advising residents in the Ystrad, Treherbert, Pentre and Treorchy areas to double check whether their postcodes are included in the precautionary Boil Water Notice. You can do this on their website at: dwrcymrudot com slash inyourarea

And people affected by the ongoing boil notice will find water bottle stations are open at Ynyswen Industrial Estate inYnyswen Rd, Treorchy, Postcode CF42 6ED – and at Rhondda Sport Centre, Geli-galed Park, CF41 7SY

In terms of who is responsible for what, RCT Council is in charge of managing flood risk from surface water through drains and gullies and small watercourses, while Natural Resources Wales looks after river flood defences, warnings, and alerts – with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water also owning someprivately maintained watercourses.

And since Storm Dennis RCT Council alone has spent over £100 million to repair damage and improve culverts and other assets – and so far it seems the majority of newly-installed infrastructure protected a large number of properties which would have otherwise been flooded – but there they say there’s more they want and need to do and a comprehensive programme of culvert upgrades ongoing.