A RESIDENT of Kinmel Bay has told of her “frightening” experience as flooding from Storm Pierrick yesterday (April 9) caused some of her neighbours to have to be evacuated from their homes.
Those living in the Sandy Cove area were assisted by a North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crew in leaving their properties as floods devastated the region.
Alisha Seddon, a resident with two young children, said that it made for a “scary” afternoon.
She said: “We didn’t have to be evacuated, but the fire brigade did knock on our door and monitor our house. Thankfully, the water went down quite fast.
“We don’t really have a drainage system, so it was a nightmare.
“I was poorly yesterday, so I was in bed when a little boy suddenly banged on my door telling me I needed to get out.
“I came downstairs to hear the kids screaming and to see people running out of their houses - it was scary.”
READ MORE:
Kinmel Bay residents evacuated due to flooding
Cllr Barry Griffiths, a councillor for Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council, thanked the emergency services for their efforts in helping residents yesterday.
Last year, plans for multi-million-pound coastal defence works in Kinmel Bay were given the go-ahead, which Cllr Griffiths hopes will help prevent a reoccurrence of yesterday’s events.
He said: “The new coastal defences will be constructed soon, but the infrastructure at Sandy Cove is a long term problem leaving residents in very poor conditions.
“Properties in Clwyd and Aled Gardens were, in some cases, flooded to just under floor level.
“A half-hour’s flooding of premises can result in insurance claims and flood damage repairs, with residents in stressful temporary accommodation for months.
“Many places in Sandy Cove were flooded, and residents face the prospect of future flooding at any time.
“The improved coastal flood protection programme is due to start soon and can only help.”
Mike Owen, head of response for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said yesterday: “Thanks to our staff and our partners for their work today.
“Plans are in place to prepare our water assets in case of similar conditions tomorrow.
“We’d appeal to members of the public to work with us by staying away from fast flowing watercourses and not driving through flooded roads.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here