A Pontypridd woman whose home was flooded during Storm Dennis has spoken out about feeling ignored after a previous flooding incident. Paula Williams, a resident of Sion Street in Pontypridd for nearly 25 years, had never experienced flooding until Storm Dennis hit. However, she found herself affected by flooding once again in the recent deluge. Despite being fortunate to only have 6 inches of water in her home this time, she described the situation as “very difficult” and disputed claims by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that three flood warnings had been issued to residents.
Paula Williams recalled being alerted to the river bursting its banks by a neighbour who hurried down the street warning people to move their cars. Contrary to NRW’s statements, Paula said there was no warning until 10 am on Saturday when the river level was relatively low for the season. The next flood warning came at 7.41 am, just 10 minutes after her neighbour had already alerted residents. Paula highlighted that the personal flood defences installed in her property failed to prevent water from entering her home, causing frustration as she had anticipated more effective protection.
Expressing her disappointment with NRW and MPs for not taking their concerns seriously after the previous flooding incident, Paula vowed not to accept being dismissed this time. Despite feeling lucky to have experienced less severe flooding compared to Storm Dennis, she stressed that the flood defences should have prevented any water from entering her home. Paula shared that the recent incident has been emotionally challenging, and she is determined to address the issues faced by residents in her area regarding flooding and inadequate defences.
The community in Pontypridd has been grappling with the aftermath of the flooding, with properties on Sion Street being cleared of water as residents assess the damage and work on recovery efforts. Paula’s story sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by residents dealing with repeated flooding incidents and raises questions about the effectiveness of flood defences in the area. As the community rallies together to support those affected by the recent floods, Paula’s determination to seek accountability and long-term solutions serves as a reminder of the resilience and spirit of Pontypridd residents in the face of adversity.