The Welsh Government reported on 17 April 2024 that 35 properties had experienced internal flooding across Wales following Storm Kathleen, which arrived on 6 April 2024 bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall coinciding with spring tides1. The figures, described as current indications from local authorities as of Tuesday 16 April, cover 33 residential properties and 2 businesses1.
The breakdown by county was Conwy with 20 properties, Ceredigion with 8 and Torfaen with 71. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) later described Storm Kathleen as "an unusually severe storm for the time of year with very strong winds" and confirmed that 35 properties experienced internal flooding2.
| Area | Properties internally flooded |
|---|---|
| Conwy | 20 |
| Ceredigion | 8 |
| Torfaen | 7 |
| Total | 35 (33 residential, 2 businesses) |
During peak impact on 9 April, NRW issued several flood warnings for Llanfairfechan, Penrhyn Bay, Llanddulas, Kinmel Bay Promenade and Sandy Cove, Prestatyn Beach Road, Ffynnongroyw Frontage and the community of Ffynnongroyw1. The stormy conditions particularly affected western and northern parts of Wales, including along the coast1.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, said in the written statement:
The statement said that although several locations reached flood warning levels, the existing network of flood defences prevented flooding in many areas, with 73,000 properties across Wales benefiting from NRW's flood defences on an ongoing basis1. Officials were continuing to receive further information in the coming days and weeks1.
Why it matters for households
The figures cover households and businesses in three council areas, and the Welsh Government said the full detail of impacts on communities in Wales was still emerging at the time of the statement1.
The Cabinet Secretary urged everyone to make use of NRW's practical guidance on what to do before, during and after a flood1. NRW's own annual report for 2024/25 states that in Wales there are estimated to be 275,000 properties at risk of flooding, approximately 1 in 7 properties2.
What happens next
The Welsh Government said officials would continue to receive further information on the impacts in the coming days and weeks1.
Households can read more in the guide to flooding, the guide to Wales: Natural Resources Wales warnings and risk maps and the guide to flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings.
Sources (3)
- Written Statement: Flood Impacts following Storm Kathleen (17 April 2024) | GOV.WALES, gov.wales
- Natural Resources Wales / Flood risk management annual report 2024 to 2025, naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
- Natural Resources Wales / Flood risk management annual report 2024 to 2025, naturalresources.wales
Wales Flood Warnings and Maps
