The sun may have returned, but many Welsh towns are still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Claudia. Natural Resources Wales issued four severe flood warnings of a “significant risk to life” in Skenfrith, Osbaston, Monmouth, and Over Monnow on the 15th of November, just over a month before Christmas, and communities are still rebuilding.
Among the worst of the towns impacted by the storm, there was Monmouth, which was flooded after the River Monnow burst its banks.
Since the devastation, the Welsh government announced that they are planning to provide more than £2.5 million in support for the people of Monmouthshire. A fundraiser raised a further £72,500, according to the BBC.
Residents of Monmouth can now claim grants from the government of up to £1000 for non-insured households and £500 for insured households.
These grants only include damage to the inside of the house—gardens are excluded. Jayne Bryant, the cabinet secretary for housing and local government, said: “This funding will support costs with everything from evacuating people and supplying food to removing household waste and the hire of additional vehicles and machinery.”
For some residents, the grants from the Welsh government are not enough to rebuild after the devastation caused by the floods. Many businesses have been forced to close since their premises were damaged by the water.
Andrea Sholl, a Monmouth resident, who had opened up a new bar a week before the floods happened, told the South Wales Argus: “It’s going to cost between £35,000 and £50,000 to replace it all, and we’ve just found out this morning as well our insurance doesn’t cover us for the flood damage.”
The community of Monmouth has banded together to get through the difficult time. Bar 125 in Monmouth thanked the volunteers who helped clean the bar up on Facebook. On the 23rd of November they shared on a Facebook post: “This week has been the most challenging week of our lives, but we have pulled through with the help of friends, family, staff, and incredible selfless volunteers... an opening day could be announced very shortly.”
Locals posted shocking images of the devastation and clean-up on social media. Ange Anderson (@angeanderson.author) posted an Instagram carousel showing the devastation left by the floods in Monmouth. The images showed wreckage in popular stores in Monmouth centre. The caption reads: “The clean-up is in operation in Monmouth. Security guards stayed at M&S overnight. Look at all the drugs on the floor in the chemist—that’s the power of the water. In Waitrose, however, you can see 3 boxes of cider in a pathway to the door, as if someone was going to steal them but changed their mind or had it changed for them. The river has called her waters back home.”
Former Monmouth MP David TC Davies has called for a flood defence scheme to protect the residents of communities who are at risk of flooding. Monmouth County Council will begin working with the Welsh government on a review of their flood protection measures.
First Minister Eluned Morgan told Nation.Cymru: “We can, and we do, try and prepare for situations like this, but when you get five inches of rain in five hours you get a situation that was much worse in Monmouthshire than even the storms of Bert and Dennis.”
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby said in an interview to ITV News: “We may no longer be news after next week, but for people living in Monmouth, and Skenfrith, and the other communities affected by the flood, it’ll take months and maybe years for some people to really process the impact of such a devastating event.” These cases show the chaos and aftermath of the devastation.