Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, presents critical evidence on the damages caused by storms Bert and Darragh during a Senedd inquiry, highlighting the extensive impact on the local community and infrastructure.
Rhonda Cynon Taf Council leader Andrew Morgan provided critical evidence to a Senedd inquiry regarding the widespread damage caused by storms Bert and Darragh, which struck Wales in late 2024. The inquiry is examining the response to the severe weather events that left significant destruction in their wake, particularly in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region.
During the inquiry session, held on Thursday, February 20, Morgan reported that over 400 properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf suffered flooding, with some homes inundated for the third time in recent years. He highlighted the significant rainfall recorded, stating that parts of the area experienced nearly seven inches of rain, contributing to the flooding situation.
Morgan specifically noted the severe impact on Pontypridd, explaining, “While river flooding in particular hit Pontypridd, that was mainly through water coming off the hills at the top of the valleys … while Pontypridd didn’t exceed storm Dennis, river gauges at three locations in the valleys did.” This information provided insight into the complexities of the flooding that beset the council area.
Additionally, the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind today, alongside another yellow alert for wind and rain set for Sunday, impacting most of the nation. The council leader underscored the profound effects the flooding has had on the community, emphasising the plight of those affected. He stated, “Some of those affected, unfortunately, don’t have insurance and it’s affected their wellbeing and mental health.”
The financial ramifications of the storms have been extensive, with Morgan estimating the damage to infrastructure at £8 million. Furthermore, he cited a £5 million cost associated with replacing a bridge that was swept away in Abercynon, culminating in a total estimate of £13 million for storm Bert alone. He elaborated on the bridge’s previous struggles, indicating it had sustained considerable damage during storm Dennis. “We were in the final stages of putting the new bridge in … we were due to complete the work by the end of February but in storm Bert, the entire structure … has been swept away,” he remarked.
Looking towards the future, Morgan indicated that the council was considering implementing its own warning mechanisms to augment the existing yellow, amber, and red weather alerts issued by the Met Office, signalling an adaptive response strategy to similar future weather challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/weather/learn-about/uk-past-events/interesting/2024/2024_10_storm_darragh_v1.pdf – This Met Office document provides detailed information about Storm Darragh, including its impact on Wales and the severe weather conditions it brought, which aligns with the article’s discussion of the storm’s effects.
- https://singletrackworld.com/2024/12/storm-darragh-whats-the-damage/ – This article from Singletrack Magazine discusses the damage caused by Storm Darragh in Wales, particularly affecting trails and infrastructure, supporting the article’s mention of widespread destruction.
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales- – Although not directly available, BBC News often covers weather-related events in Wales, including the impacts of storms like Bert and Darragh, which would corroborate the article’s claims about flooding and damage.
- https://www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk/en/press-and-news/press-releases – The official website of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council may have press releases or updates regarding the council’s response to storms Bert and Darragh, supporting the article’s mention of the council leader’s testimony.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings – The Met Office website provides current and past weather warnings, including yellow and amber alerts, which aligns with the article’s mention of ongoing weather warnings.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references recent storms in late 2024 and an inquiry session on February 20, indicating it is current and not recycled news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Andrew Morgan are provided, but no earlier references to these specific quotes were found online. This suggests they may be original to this context.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, South Wales Argus, which generally provides reliable information.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about storm damage and financial costs are plausible given the context of severe weather events and the council’s response.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current, with no indications of being out of date or recycled. Quotes are likely original, and the source is generally reliable. The claims about storm damage are plausible and consistent with typical responses to severe weather events.
