Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched an investigation into why flood defences in a north Wales village were not fully utilised before homes were left ankle-deep in water. The farmer’s tractor and fire service were used to rescue people from their homes in Trevalyn, near Wrexham, on Sunday morning, after residents claimed a slatted barrier and pump – normally used before water levels rise – were not employed. NRW warned it could take some time before water from upper catchment areas reached flood plains, with one flood warning still in place for the River Dee at Almere, Erbistock, Plas Devon, and Trevalyn Meadows.
Operations Manager Iwan Williams said his team had worked all weekend to try and reduce the effects of the extreme weather. He added, “We’re currently looking into how and why our assets were not utilised fully to reduce the effects of the extreme weather.” The nearby River Alyn has seen record water levels since Storm Babet first hit early on Friday. The land around Trevalyn is 7m (23ft) above sea level and is known to be at risk of flooding.
In England, residents of approximately 500 homes in a Nottinghamshire town were urged to evacuate due to flooding and record river levels. Rail operator Transport for Wales reported that service disruptions were expected to continue throughout Sunday following disruption caused by flooding. On Sunday morning, NRW lifted a severe flood warning covering Llandrinio in Powys where the rivers Severn and Vyrnwy meet.
NRW has warned it could take some time before water from upper catchment areas reaches flood plains. The land around Trevalyn is 7m (23ft) above sea level and is known to be at risk of flooding. On Sunday morning, the fire service and a farmer’s tractor were used to rescue people from their homes in Trevalyn, near Wrexham. Residents claimed a slatted barrier and pump – normally used before water levels rise – were not employed, and NRW is investigating why the defences were not fully used.
Operations Manager Iwan Williams said his team had worked all weekend to try and reduce the effects of the extreme weather. He added, “We’re currently looking into how and why our assets were not utilised fully to reduce the effects of the extreme weather.” The nearby River Alyn has seen record water levels since Storm Babet first hit early on Friday. Currently, one flood warning still in place for the River Dee at Almere, Erbistock, Plas Devon and Trevalyn Meadows
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