A house in a quiet Welsh village has suffered severe damage after collapsing during Storm Bert, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. While Storm Bert primarily wreaked havoc in the eastern parts of Wales such as Pontypridd in Rhondda Cynon Taf, its impact was also felt in other southern regions of the country. The force of the storm hit the Cresselly Arms in the village of Pontargothi in Carmarthenshire, submerging parts of the pub under several feet of water. Approximately 16 miles away in the village of Garnswllt near Ammanford, a house endured significant destruction, with one side completely giving way under the relentless onslaught of strong winds and heavy rainfall that battered the area over the weekend.
Situated in Lon y Felin, around two miles south of Ammanford, on the border of Swansea and Carmarthenshire, the house captured in images taken at the scene depicts a grim reality – at least half of the property obliterated, with bricks scattered all over the grass and a section of the house left vulnerable and exposed to the elements. The roof of the house has also caved in, adding to the heartbreaking scene of devastation. Although the front door and some windows remain intact, the upper floors are visible from the outside due to the collapse of the wall and roof. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as the house was unoccupied at the time of the incident.
Following the calamity, the Mid and West Wales Fire Service was informed of the collapsed property but refrained from intervention due to the absence of any individuals requiring rescue and the precarious condition of the house, posing a risk of further collapse or structural damage. Swansea Council’s building control officers visited the site on Monday to evaluate the extent of the damage and ensure safety measures were in place. The council has been requested to provide a statement regarding the incident. The wrath of Storm Bert was most keenly felt in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where numerous homes grappled with flooding, amplifying the destruction caused by the tempest.
A council spokesperson disclosed, “Over the last 24 hours, the impact of Storm Bert has become increasingly evident. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, over a month’s worth of rainfall was recorded within a brief span, triggering a surge of nearly 600 calls from residents reporting issues to our contact centre.” The number of flooded properties has been revised to around 200 properties, and efforts are underway to identify those affected by internal flooding. The community resilience team has been mobilised to engage with residents, ascertain their immediate needs, and provide necessary support promptly. The council is set to unveil additional assistance for residents, including financial aid and disposal facilities for damaged items.
Skips have been deployed to assist affected residents in discarding ruined belongings, with the council coordinating the collection process as required. Moreover, the flood risk team is actively surveying inundated areas to understand the causes of diverse flooding incidents and to enhance preparedness for future occurrences. The upheaval caused by Storm Bert underscores the unpredictable nature of extreme weather conditions and highlights the importance of community resilience in the face of natural disasters. Efforts to support and rebuild affected areas are crucial in fostering a sense of solidarity and recovery within communities devastated by such catastrophic events.