Storm Dennis

21st February 2020

STORM DENNIS: UPDATE 15.30 Friday, 21st February 2020

We have been in the communities of Llanhilleth & Cwm this week supporting residents affected by flooding through our Assistance Centres, and we are continuing to support people with financial advice, housing, replacement furniture and social care needs.

The Assistance Centre in Cwm Flying Start will close at 4pm today (20th February). In the event of an emergency over the weekend people can contact the Council’s out-of-hours on 01495 311556.

The Assistance Centre in Llanhilleth Institute will be open between 12.30pm and 2pm to provide meals for the community and for residents to collect donations. Again, for emergencies outside of these times contact 01495 311556.

Collections are ongoing for donated furniture and white goods, which are being distributed on a priority basis. We will continue to accept donations from Monday, 24th February 2020.

Contact numbers for the weekend:

The Council’s out-of-hours emergency service is available on 01495 311556
The Emergency Duty Team Social Services is available on 0800 328 4432
The latest weather information is available at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
The latest public transport Information is available at https://tfwrail.wales/homepage
Health Advice is available at NHS Wales http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/home

STORM DENNIS: UPDATE 12.30 Thursday, 20th February 2020

Work is continuing with residents affected by flooding in both Llanhilleth & Cwm following #StormDennis

We are back out re-assessing the needs of individual households so that we can offer support including advice on cleaning, and organise the delivery of donated furniture. Thanks to the Red Cross volunteers who are helping out with this today. We are also checking that people have applied for the emergency payment available to flood victims in Wales, and organising Care & Repair support for those eligible.

We have been overwhelmed by the many kind donations from members of the community & businesses. We now have a sufficient stock of food products, but if you would still like to donate we would gladly welcome donations of pet products including food, bedding and cat litter; mops & buckets; bin bags & air fresheners. These can be dropped off at Llanhilleth Institute @LlanStute, or Cwm Flying Start Hub where people affected by the floods can still drop in for assistance from the Council.

For any queries please contact our Contact Centre on 01495 311556.

UPDATE 11.40 Wednesday 19 February 2020

Storm Dennis – Important information for residents

The Council is continuing to support residents affected by Storm Dennis. The advice centres based in Llanhilleth Institute and Cwm Flying Start Community Hub at the top of Canning Street are both open again today.

The centres will provide food and refreshments and activities for children.

Please follow the Council’s social media accounts for updates during the day.
#StormDennis.

Donations to Llanhilleth Institute

For those residents affected by flooding we have plenty of food available for collection and we do not require further food donations at this time. Donations of toiletries, towels, clothing and cleaning materials are still welcome and can be dropped off at the Institute.

Weather Warning

There is a yellow weather warning in place for heavy rain in Blaenau Gwent during Wednesday and Thursday. Further information is available from the Met Office.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?id=e1474c2d-bdd6-4d59-9750-d827ccb791fa&date=2020-02-20

UPDATE: 11.00 Tuesday, 18th February 2020

Storm Dennis – Important information for residents

Advice and Support Available

Representatives from our Benefits, Housing, Environmental Health and Social Services teams are available to provide advice and guidance.

The centres will provide food and refreshments and activities for children.
Food and cleaning product donations will also be accepted.

Please follow the Council’s social media accounts for updates during the day.
#StormDennis.

What to do after a flood

Make sure it's safe to return to your property:

take care as there may be hidden dangers in floodwater, such as sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution
flood water might have caused structural damage to your property

If your electricity supply has not been switched off at the mains, get a qualified person to do this. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.

Making an insurance claim

In almost all cases, the insurance company will send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and replacements are needed and which elements are covered by your policy.

Ask the insurance company:

How long it will be before the loss adjuster visits
If you are to clean your property or if they will get a company to do it for you
If they will help pay for repairs that will reduce potential flood damage and therefore reduce costs if it happens again
If they will provide you with temporary accommodation - this can be a nearby B&B, static caravan or rented house. You don't have to accept the first place you are offered.

Always make your own record of flood damage:

Use a permanent in pen to mark on the wall the height the flood water got to. Do this in every room affected by flooding.
Photograph or video your damaged property and list the damage to your property and belongings.
If your insurance company covers you for loss of perishable good, make a list of all the foods you throw away. Include any food touched by flood water and anything in your fridge or freezer ruined by loss of power.

Top tips:

confirm the insurance company will pay for any services or equipment you need
make a note of all telephone calls. Record the date, name and what was agreed
keep copies of letters, emails and faxes you send and receive
keep receipts
don't throw anything away until told (except ruined food)

If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company as soon as possible.

Cleaning your property

Pump water out of your property using a generator:

keep the generator outside as they produce carbon monoxide fumes which can kill
only pump out water when flood levels outside your property start to be lower than inside - this reduces the risk of structural damage.

Shovel mud evenly from both sides of a wall to stop pressure building up on one side

Clean and disinfect your property. A garden hose is useful but don't use high-pressure hoses because they blast contaminated matter into the air.

Keep doors and windows open to dry out your property or use a dehumidifier with the windows and doors closed.

Make sure your gas and central heating has been checked by an engineer before turning it on.

Furniture Donations

We've been overwhelmed with the offer of donations of furniture from the local community for those affected by flooding. We are currently trying to co-ordinate the collection/drop-off of these items at a local industrial estate and establish exactly what is needed. If you are looking to donate, please contact Amy Taylor at Blaenau Gwent Council on 07976 589656 who will be happy to help.

UPDATE: 18.30 Monday, 17th February 2020

We’ve been in Llanhilleth and Cwm today supporting residents affected by flooding following StormDennis. We will have council support available in Llanhilleth Miners’ Institute and Cwm Flying Start Hub again tomorrow (Tuesday 18th February), if residents have any questions or need assistance. A big thank you to everyone who has been involved with the clean up today and for the many many kind donations the community has received from individuals and local businesses. Our communities have really pulled together to help each other out these past few days.

Council officers have visited all affected households to assess individual needs and give guidance on the effective cleaning of flood water and home safety. We have provided food and drink; cleaning products and other household essentials to those affected. Residents' well-being has been a priority as we work with a number of partners including colleagues in health and social care Aneurin Bevan University Health Boardand local housing providers Melin Homes Tai Calon Community Housing and United Welsh

Big thanks to the staff at @llanstute who have been fantastic and a great support. Our resources continue to be focused on the worst affected areas, however we are also doing what we can in other areas of the county borough.

Remember: If you require any assistance please call 01495 311556.

Storm Dennis – Important information for residents

The Council has spent the weekend responding to the effects of Storm Dennis. All Council resources were deployed focusing on the needs of residents in most need, mainly in the Llanhilleth area. We have responded to highway and property flooding, fallen trees and structural damage.

We continue to work with residents affected by property flooding in the worst affected areas, supported by members of the local community. Skips have been deployed in Railway Terrace and Meadow Street, Llanhilleth.

Advice and Support Available:

In order to support residents most affected by the flooding representatives from the following areas will be based in Llanhilleth Institute today to provide advice and guidance:
• Benefits. Members of the team will be available to provide advice and support

• Housing. Our housing team will be out in the community and available in the Llanhilleth Institute to assess needs and assist with temporary accommodation in necessary.

• Environmental Health. Members of the team will visit properties to assess living conditions, damage and prioritise the most in need.

• Social Services. A team of social workers and a mental health specialist will be available in the local community to assess needs and help the most vulnerable. Please contact the IAA Service on 01495 315700 for information

• Anuerin Bevan Health Board will be available for queries related to health matters.

Services available at Llanhilleth Institute:

Llanhilleth Institue is open until 7pm today and will provide food and refreshments and activities for children. Food and cleaning product donations will also be accepted. Please follow the Council’s social media accounts for updates during the day.

Important information for residents in Cwm:

The Council has spent the weekend responding to the effects of Storm Dennis. All Council resources were deployed focusing on the needs of residents in most need, mainly in the Llanhilleth and Cwm areas. We have responded to highway and property flooding, fallen trees and structural damage.

We continue to work with residents affected by property flooding in the worst affected areas, supported by members of the local community. An assistance centre has been set up in the Flying Start Community Hub at the top of Canning Street, Cwm. Skips have been provided in King Street & Curre Street.

Other Advice and Support Available:

In order to support residents most affected by the flooding representatives from the following areas will be based in Cwm Flying Start Hub today to provide advice and guidance:

• Benefits. Members of the team will be available to provide advice and support

• Environmental Health. Members of the team will visit properties to assess living conditions, damage and prioritise the most in need.

• Food and refreshments will be provided and activities for children. Clothes washing and drying facilities are available to use on site.

• If you have any issues you need to speak to the Council about please call 01495 311556.

Please follow the Council’s social media accounts for updates during the day.