Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has provided clarification on the “delay” in issuing flood alerts during Storm Bert, addressing criticism from Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader, Andrew Morgan. The timing of flood warnings, particularly for Pontypridd, came under scrutiny, with Mr. Morgan noting that alerts were issued after water had already reached a foot-deep in the streets. The response to storms Bert and Darragh, which affected Wales late last year, was a focal point of a Senedd climate committee inquiry, where NRW officials were questioned.
During the inquiry, it was revealed that NRW had initially issued 65 flood alerts, indicating that flooding was possible, before later escalating to 68 flood warnings as the storms approached. Jeremy Parr, head of flood risk incident management at NRW, highlighted the challenges posed by Wales’ steep-sided valleys, where sudden downpours result in rapid rises in river levels, leaving limited lead time for warnings. This situation, he explained, necessitates a careful balance to avoid alert fatigue among the public.
Gareth O’Shea, executive director of operations at NRW, emphasized that issuing flood warnings is not an exact science, noting that the focus is on when water enters properties rather than solely on visible water on streets. The significant increase in river levels during Storm Bert prompted changes to the trigger level for warnings in Pontypridd, enhancing the agency’s ability to provide timely alerts in similar situations in the future. NRW acknowledged the importance of giving as much warning as possible to communities at risk.
Addressing queries about the warning system, NRW officials explained the rationale behind using flood alerts and flood warnings, with the latter indicating an expectation of flooding in properties and a potential risk to life at the severe end. They also discussed challenges in achieving high sign-up rates for free flood warnings in certain areas of Wales, citing technical constraints and resource prioritization for tailored alert coverage. The agency’s prioritization is focused on maximizing the effectiveness of warnings for communities most vulnerable to flooding.
NRW delegates further elaborated on the intricacies of flood warning coverage, emphasizing that while a comprehensive system is offered, there are isolated communities where technical difficulties hinder providing such services. These limitations underscore the complexity of ensuring broad coverage while optimizing resources efficiently. The need for continuous evaluation and improvement of flood forecasting and warning mechanisms was underscored during the committee session, as NRW aims to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for future weather events.
In conclusion, the insights shared by NRW officials shed light on the complexities of issuing flood alerts and warnings, particularly in areas prone to rapid water level rises like Pontypridd. The agency’s efforts to balance timely warnings with avoiding alarm fatigue underscore the challenges of forecasting and responding to extreme weather events. As Wales continues to face environmental challenges, the lessons from Storm Bert serve as valuable feedback for refining flood warning systems and enhancing community resilience in the face of natural disasters.