Mopping up begins after flooding

The community of Ynysboeth in the Cynon valley in south Wales is mopping up after a manhole "exploded", sending 4ft of water gushing into homes.

A clean-up of homes in the Nant y Fedw area has begun after Friday afternoon's floods.

Debris littered gardens and the downstairs rooms of one home have been ruined by flood waters and mud.

Some evacuated residents, shocked by the ferocity of flood waters, have been returned to assess the damage.

The flooding came after more than four inches of rain within a 48-hour period.

One of the residents, Dee-Ann Palmer said she was looking after her young nephew, when the floods came rushing into their home on Friday morning.

Ynysboeth residents begin the clean-up after floods wrecked homes.

With the waters reaching her chest height, she had to gather him up and wade to safety.

She said she had lost "everything", including all of her downstairs furniture and children's photos.

She said: "The water was past window height, I could hear water gushing in, it was actually to my chest in water.

"It's been absolute chaos, all my neighbours and my friends have been cleaning the front of my house to see if anything is left... all my downstairs has gone, but at the moment I have lost everything.

"I was shaking...amazed that this could happen."

An emergency line is set up for local residents in extreme difficulties

Another resident, Chris Jenkins, told of hearing a "thunderous" noise after watching for water coming off the nearby mountain.

"I walked out the kitchen and it was about four ft (1.2 metres) up, I saw a woman next door running with a baby. I opened the back door to let her in opened...and all the water came in to mine then.

"We were putting carpets against the door there was no way we could stop it, I was surprised but it's happened before - several times - we will wait and see what the council will do about this.

"It was a shock, I have been lucky...it happened so quick...I was so petrified.

"It's such thick black muck right round the lounge, utility room, dining room and kitchen," she said.

Her husband, Fred Jenkins, said: "Before we could do anything it had entered the house. I couldn't do anything - I'm 75. I couldn't lift anything out of the way. We just had to put up with it."

Rhondda Cynon Taff Council staff were called back in to work overnight to help deal with the huge influx of emergency calls.

The council said demand for help had been unprecedented

Councillor Stuart Gregory, who represents the area in his Abercynon ward, said he had visited the residents and had seen the devastation.

"It was terrible, I don't know what they are going to do about it."

He said he has spoken to a council engineer and a survey will be carried out.

"The mud in the living room (of Dee Ann Palmer's house) was terrible...we have got to get together to see what can be done," he added.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said staff were continuing to do "all in their power" to alleviate the problems.

More than 3,000 sandbags had been distributed by late Friday afternoon.

Residents at Rhydyfelin and Abercynon have now returned to their homes.

Cabinet member Cllr Andrew Morgan said the last 24 hours had brought an "unprecedented demand".

He said: "Staff worked through the night in an effort to restore normality to the county borough.

"We would welcome the cooperation and understanding of residents to remain patient with us as we endeavour to carry out this essential work."

"Our main priority is the safety of residents and visitors."

An emergency call number is available for those who are experiencing extreme difficulties - residents are asked to contact 01443 494700.

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