Having been affected by flooding, volunteers in three communities on the island have come together to try and improve things for themselves and others who live in flood risk areas.
Flood Partnership Groups have been set up in Llangefni, Dwyran and Beaumaris to bring together local people and relevant agencies to discuss flood risk management and respond to flooding incidents when they occur.
The Groups have created Community Flood Plans which facilitate a rapid response to local warnings and alerts on a grass-roots level. This includes distribution of sandbags and other measures to help protect residents and businesses in the event of flooding.
Rhian Sinnott, Llangefni Group Chairperson & Flood Warden said: “After the devastating flood event in November 2017 which affected the residents and businesses of Llangefni greatly, we came together as volunteers to form the Llangefni Flood Partnership Group.
“Within the group we have a Community Flood Plan, as well as a Sandbag Plan which we have put together to protect homes and businesses within the town from the risk of internal flooding.
“We are so very proud of what we have achieved as a community, and are grateful to each volunteer for what they bring to the group and their ongoing commitment to protecting properties from flooding.”
Community Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Senior Flood Warden in Dwyran said: “The partnership between the community, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water has promoted a fuller understanding of the flood dynamics in Dwyran.
“This has enabled joint working to find and fund targeted interventions to try to alleviate future flooding events and develop greater community resilience.”
The Beaumaris Flood Partnership Group is another local volunteer group made up of volunteers from a broad spectrum of ages and occupations. Jason Zalot, Chair and Senior Flood Warden said: “The Group’s members have in-depth knowledge of the town and in times of heavy rain, high winds they come together to protect the town and its inhabitants from flooding.”
Isle of Anglesey County Council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have commended the efforts of local volunteers in helping to manage and respond to flood risk within their communities.
Huw Percy Head of Service Highways Waste & Property, Isle of Anglesey County Council said: “We are continuously working with others to improve flood risk management on the island and to respond effectively to flooding incidents.
“The work undertaken by the Flood Partnership Groups is truly invaluable. As community representatives, the volunteers who run these Groups provide us with local knowledge and views to inform decisions around how the risk of flooding is managed as well as deliver on-the-ground support within communities when flood alerts and warnings are issued.
“I’d like to thank them all for their time and admirable efforts in helping build resilience against flooding.”
Sian Williams, NRW Head of North West Wales Operations added: “Flooding can have a devastating impact on families, businesses and communities as we’ve seen across Wales again this year.
“As climate change intensifies, we will experience more extreme weather events, including intense wet periods such as those experienced last winter. This makes flood risk management an increasing challenge for the years ahead, and the need for partnership working will become even more important.
“Responding quickly on a local level before and during flooding can significantly help alleviate and minimise some of the effects on residents and businesses. The Flood Partnership Groups play an extremely important role in this respect, and we commend all the volunteers who do so much to help protect communities on Anglesey.”
ENDS 05.01.2020