Storm Claudia resulted in severe flooding in parts of Wales and England on November 14, placing immense pressure on the fire and rescue service.
Communities were evacuated, homes and businesses flooded, and transport networks disrupted after some areas saw up to a month’s rainfall over two days.
A major incident was declared in Monmouth after “severe and widespread” flooding affected the town and surrounding communities. Firefighters carried out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks in the early hours of the morning, with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reporting 82 flood-related incidents overnight.
Crews faced prolonged and complex flooding incidents with limited resources due to years of cuts
Gemma Thomas, FBU regional control rep in the Mid and West Wales and South Wales joint control room reported that the service had already been overstretched two weeks prior, receiving 450 calls in one 12 hour period. “These included calls for rescues, with people's lives at risk, people stuck in cars in flood waters, and even a major incident being declared when a care home flooded.”
