Flood-hit town not on latest risk register

NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has warned there is “no silver bullet” for protecting communities against flooding, with risks expected to increase as the climate changes.

- Andrew Forgrave

It has listed the communities in North Wales most at risk both now and in the future (see below).

Not included is an Anglesey town that was inundated more than seven years ago.

Six homes and 27 businesses in Llangefni suffered devastating flooding in 2017 when the Afon Cefni burst its banks.

Potential measures there now include “property-level protection” and a flood warning system for certain parts of the town.

However, NRW has said funding is short and it can’t guarantee when and if these will be put in place.

In Wales, it’s estimated that one in seven properties (272,817) are currently at risk of flooding.

Over the next century, an additional 46,000 homes could face increased flood risk from rivers and the sea.

Sian Williams, NRW’s head of North West Wales operations, said: "The impacts of climate change are being felt across our communities, increasing the risk of flooding.

"We can’t stop all flooding but.... we can work to reduce risk in areas.

"There is no silver bullet to stop flooding.

"We cannot simply build our way out of this, so it is important that we consider all options available within our flood risk toolbox."

Despite what happened in Llangefni, the town is not regarded as one of the communities in northwest Wales most vulnerable to river or sea flooding.

According to an NRW’s flood risk management plan, those currently most at risk are all coastal communities threatened by the sea. They are:

■ Abergele