Storm Christoph flooding and travel disruption across Carmarthenshire

After three days of heavy rain and yellow warnings in force across the Towy, Amman, Gwendraeth and Swansea Valleys, several roads were affected by flooding on Wednesday, January 20 into Thursday morning, January 21, with parts of the A40 closed from Llandeilo to Llandovery and Penybanc Road in Tycroes.

The A4069, at Llangadog creamery and Llwyn Jack were also impassable with the rising river levels.

Emergency services were called out to several locations across the county to rescue motorists who found themselves stranded in flood water.

Over the past 24 hours Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has received 233 calls - 140 flood-related calls, 70 calls of external flooding, 57 calls of internal flooding and 12 calls where flooding posed a risk to life.

Llandeilo, Llandovery and Ammanford were among the busiest station areas.

A spokesperson for Llandovery fire and rescue service said: "Storm Christoph has brought torrential rainfall that has affected people's homes and businesses around the country. Llandovery crews were first alerted at 8.15am (Wednesday, January 20) to reports of a van stuck in floodwater before being mobilised for flood preservation, flooding to properties, advice on arrival, property inspection and another vehicle stranded in flood water, up until 2.30am (Thursday).

"Our deepest sympathies to all those whose properties have been affected by floodwater and our deepest thanks to the crews that assisted us through the day."

The Road outside the Mond Valley golf club Picture by Duncan Thomas

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas, said: “Over the past 24 hours our crews have been extremely busy, having attended 98 flood-related incidents in harsh and treacherous conditions. This is in addition to attending house fires, road traffic collisions and mitigating the damage to people’s properties from the effects of Storm Christoph. This was all done whilst operating within the current Covid-19 restrictions.

"Whilst our incident activity has returned to normal, for now, there are weather warnings still in place and colder conditions are expected to continue through the next few days. I would urge all drivers to carefully consider if their journey is an essential one to take.”