The Welsh Government has announced immediate financial support for people whose homes have been flooded during Storm Bert.
The Welsh Government will fund local authorities to provide grants of £1000 for households without insurance cover, or £500 to affected households with existing insurance cover.
The news was confirmed in the Senedd by First Minister Eluned Morgan and Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies after days of visits to communities affected by Storm Bert across Wales.
Addressing MSs in the Senedd, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “The first thing I want to do today is extend my heartfelt sympathies to the people whose homes and businesses were impacted by Storm Bert over the weekend.
“The effects of flooding are devastating, and I know that people across Wales will be feeling upset and concerned for themselves, their loved ones affected, and their livelihoods.
“Storm Bert has again confronted us with the reality of what more frequent extreme weather events will mean for communities across Wales.”
The Deputy First Minister, who had visited Pontypridd, Skenfrith and Cwmtillery prior to addressing the Senedd, went on to thank the emergency services, Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and others who have been working on the response to Storm Bert.
“I know that many communities across the country rallied together to work alongside key agencies and support each other in the collective response efforts,” he said.
“This work, in the very hardest of circumstances, to minimise the impacts on communities wherever possible, is of the utmost importance.”
As of midday yesterday, local authorities have reported internal flooding to at least 433 properties in total – 125 in RCT, 90 in Merthyr, 75 in Blaenau Gwent, at least 50 in Monmouth, 50 in Caerphilly, 15 in Torfaen, six in Powys, six in Carmarthenshire, three in Bridgend, three in Flintshire, two in Cardiff and one In Neath Port Talbot.
Since 2021, the Welsh Government has provided risk management authorities with close to £300m to invest in flood risk management.
This year, it has maintained record levels of funding and provided more than £75m to flood Risk Management authorities across Wales.
This includes £9.7 million capital and £4.95 million revenue funding for local authorities, and £22 million capital and £24.5 million revenue for Natural Resources Wales.
Support for businesses
In addition to support for individuals, the Government has also put the following measures in place for businesses.
- In response to any damage and disruption caused to businesses by storms, Business Wales can provide post-flood recovery business support. Any business affected should contact the Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000 in the first instance, who can provide practical information and advice or signpost to relevant agencies and organisations.
- The Development Bank of Wales is available to support smaller businesses that have been impacted and may benefit from the Wales Micro Loan Fund, which offers fast tracked loans from £1,000-£50,000.
- Business Wales support could include sign-posting to a Business Wales advisor to help with more detailed recovery plans around cash-flow, liquidity and effects from disrupted trading, they may also be able to help find interim business space (office, warehouse etc.) to help businesses continue trading while recovering from flood damage.
- Some businesses may, as a result of the damage and disruption be having to consider laying off staff or closing production lines. If this is the case they should speak with a Business Wales advisor to explore whether there may be options to keep the business trading and retain staff. If this is not possible and redundancies have to be made, advice and guidance will be available to individuals affected through Careers Wales, Working Wales and Jobcentre Plus to help find people alternative employment.
- The Government will consider putting further dedicated support in place for businesses as the impact of Storm Bert becomes better understood.
