CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council teams continue to work around the clock to support communities and businesses hit by the worst floods the county has experienced in over 30 years.

There is widespread flooding in many parts of the county, with Carmarthen, Newcastle Emlyn, Llanybydder, Llandeilo and Pont Tyweli/Llandysul amongst the worst affected as many rivers burst their banks.

Flood defences on the River Towy in Carmarthen breached for the first time in their history.

A man died as a result of the landslide over the weekend.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Though the worst of the rain has passed, river levels in parts of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire are still exceptionally high and a number of roads and bridges remain closed.

“Officers continue to deal with a landslide on the A484 at Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire, where tragically a man has died. His next of kin has been informed and his family is being supported by specially trained officers. The road is closed and will be for some time.

“Our advice is to only travel if it is essential. If you need to make a journey, check for road closures beforehand. Observe closures and warning signs and never risk driving through flood water.

“More rain is expected but at much lower levels than we’ve seen over the past few days. River levels are expected to drop over the next 18 hours, when more will be known about the full effect of the storm.”

The weather also impacted roads, with the A40 between Llandeilo and Llandovery being closed, and a car overturning in Bonllwyn.

Police tweeted that none of the three occupants had been injured.

Homes and businesses have been flooded across the area. Some residents were evacuated and found alternative accommodation. Thousands of sandbags have been used.

Council gangs have worked around the clock to support emergency services, and will now focus efforts on clearing debris and re-opening roads on a prioritised basis and generally supporting communities.

Domiciliary care staff have continued their calls and have reached every service user with support from volunteers and emergency crews.

Tactical support has also been in place throughout to support operational response and communication.

Water is now receding, and the forecast is improving giving confidence that the worst is now over.

However the council is still urging people to reconsider their journeys and avoid driving in affected areas unless absolutely essential to support crews and emergency services to deal with the ongoing situation.

Stephen Pilliner, Head of Transport and Engineering, said: “We have experienced unprecedented river levels and the worst flooding we have seen in Carmarthenshire for over 30 years.

“We have worked closely with Natural Resources Wales, Dyfed Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service over the last two days to respond to the situation, however in many areas the volume of water was simply too much for the flood defences.

“We will continue to have additional resources deployed to support communities and clear debris from roads where the floods have now subsided.

“We are doing everything we can, but we hope that people will understand our resources are stretched so we ask for cooperation from residents and motorists as we deal with the remaining floods and aftermath in areas where the water has subsided.

“We ask that people in affected areas please check on neighbours and vulnerable people in their communities.”