Storm Benjamin Triggers Flood Alert Across North Wales
Residents along the corridor of the Welsh bank are being prompted to stay alert as Storm Benjamin sweeps across the UK.
The Met Office has issued two unheroic rainfall warnings for both rain and wind, affecting numerous regions throughout Thursday, October 23.
The heavy rain warning states: “An extensive and in places heavy swathe of rain will move into southwestern Britain later Wednesday and spread quickly northeast.
As the main rain band clears eastward on Thursday, it will be followed by frequent heavy showers in some western areas. Totals are expected to reach 20-30mm quite widely, with some places seeing 30-50mm.”
Natural coffers Wales has also raised a flood tide alert for part of the north Wales seacoast due to the read cloudbursts.
This alert, indicating that flooding is possible, stretches from Llanddulas along the north seacoast to the eastern parts of Anglesey.
Issued Wednesday evening, the warning states: “There is a risk of flooding as a result of the combination of the high tides and weather conditions between 11am and 11.30am on Thursday, October 23. We will continue to monitor the situation.”
The rain warning is anticipated to affect 12 regions across Wales from night until 6 pm, pressing the wide nature of Storm Benjamin’s impact.
The areas listed include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Authorities warn of “heavy and extensive” rainfall, urging residents and commuters to plan ahead.
Meanwhile, a separate wind warning covers seven areas from 6am until 3pm. The alert predicts “hazardous winds” reaching up to 50mph in many locations.
The Met Office forecast adds: “A spell of strong northwesterly winds will develop across parts of southwest England and western Wales on Thursday morning, as Storm Benjamin moves across southeast England.
Gusts are expected to reach 40-45mph widely across the warning area, with a risk of these reaching 44-55mph along exposed coasts and headlands.”
The regions affected by the wind warning are Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea.
Officers advise caution, particularly in low-lying littoral areas. Flood defenses and community monitoring systems remain active, as Storm Benjamin is anticipated to bring both dislocation and implicit hazards to Wales throughout Thursday.
