Rhondda Cynon Taff Council has announced plans to provide financial support to residents and businesses affected by the flooding following Storm Dennis.
The Council will provide support, via a new Community Flood Recovery Grant – Hardship Payment, of £500 for residents and £1,000 for businesses, which have suffered internal property damage through flooding.
It is estimated that over 530 homes and at least 300 businesses across the County Borough have been affected by flood waters.
With further inclement weather forecast this week, efforts will continue to prioritise actions to protect residents and businesses. RCT Council is also in close contact with Natural Resources Wales, who maintain overall responsibilities for our rivers.
In addition, Storm Dennis has also brought a significant level of damage to a number of highways, structures and Council buildings caused by the flooding, which has and will continue to impact on service delivery; whilst the landslips at Maerdy Mountain and Tylorstown are continuing to be closely monitored.
Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, said:
“We are still in the process of fully understanding the extent of the damage caused by Storm Dennis over the weekend, although the impact that the weather has had on our communities is absolutely clear.
“The indications show that some areas at the northern ends of Rhondda Cynon Taf saw a month’s worth of rainfall in just 24 hours and this consequently saw our three rivers reaching their highest recorded levels, with the River Taff topping out at over 5 metres – breaking the record which has stood since 1979.
“In response, Council staff and a number of other agencies and organisations have been working around the clock to support our communities and I would like to give my thanks for their efforts.
“Having also visited a number of areas across the County that have been particularly badly hit, including Pontypridd, Nantgarw, Pentre and Mountain Ash, I have established a Community Flood Recovery Grant – Hardship Payment, to provide some support to the homes and high street businesses that have suffered from internal flooding. Further information and details on applying for the scheme will be made public shortly; whilst the Welsh Government also announced the establishment of an emergency fund of up to £10m to help respond to the damage caused.
“We are urging all residents who have suffered from internal flooding to let us know by filling out the e-form on the Council’s website. This will also give residents the opportunity to book a free collection of household goods damaged by the flooding.
“We understand that this is an extremely distressing time for those who have been impacted by the flooding, but I would like to reassure residents that the Council are taking every effort to provide as much support as we can.”
Residents who have been impacted by internal flooding are being urged to let RCT Council know by filling out an e-form, which can be found here along with other information on the support available: https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/EmergenciesSafetyandCrime/Floodingassistance.aspx
