A sudden, unfamiliar sound alerted Emyr Owens and his family to the approaching danger as they were busy with household chores. Within moments, their family home in Wrexham was surrounded by six feet of water, with 15 trees knocked down and his son’s car carried away down the lane. Like many others across the nation, Mr. Owens and his son faced significant property damage caused by Storm Bert in November 2024. Three months later, he reflects on the terrifying experience that almost cost them their lives, leaving lasting scars from the catastrophic event.
Describing the aftermath, Mr. Owens recounted the chaos inflicted by the storm, which led to a severe landslide at their doorstep, leaving behind a trail of devastation. The family had to resort to breaking windows to rescue the children trapped inside as the storm wreaked havoc on their homes. A significant impact was felt by the Owens family, particularly the six grandchildren, as they continue to cope with the mental toll of the traumatic event, constantly haunted by the memories of that fateful day.
Despite the support received from their neighbors and community, Mr. Owens expressed frustration over the lack of response from authorities, questioning their preparedness and reactions during the storm. The family feels neglected by the lack of communication or assistance from officials following the disaster, leaving them to grapple with the aftermath on their own. Mr. Owens highlighted the urgent need for practical measures, emphasizing the importance of common sense in addressing the risks posed by such natural disasters.
Addressing the issue of flood risk management, Mr. Owens voiced his concerns about the inefficacy of proposed solutions like planting trees and putting up fences, advocating for more practical approaches such as river dredging. Despite the technical and economic justifications provided by authorities, Mr. Owens stressed the need for a more hands-on and proactive approach to prevent future disasters. Natural Resources Wales defended their flood risk management activities, citing the necessity of site-specific decisions based on expert knowledge and evidence to mitigate the impacts of sediment accumulation
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