Storm Kathleen arrived in Wales on 6 April bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall that coincided with spring tides, according to a written statement by Huw Irranca-Davies, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, published on 17 April 20241. During peak impact on 9 April, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued several flood warnings for locations in north and west Wales1.
The statement lists the warning locations as 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.
As of Tuesday 16 April, indications from local authorities suggested 35 properties had experienced internal flooding: 33 residential and 2 businesses, across Conwy (20), Ceredigion (8) and Torfaen (7)1. The statement says the full detail of impacts on communities in Wales was still emerging and that officials would continue to receive further information in the coming days and weeks1.
The Cabinet Secretary also 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.
"I know the impacts of flooding can be devastating, on homes, livelihoods and lives, and my sympathies go out to all those affected by the recent flood events following Storm Kathleen."
| Area | Properties with internal flooding (as of 16 April) |
|---|---|
| Conwy | 20 |
| Ceredigion | 8 |
| Torfaen | 7 |
| Total | 35 (33 residential, 2 businesses) |
Why it matters for households
The warnings covered coastal communities in Conwy, including Llanfairfechan, Penrhyn Bay, Llanddulas and Kinmel Bay, and in Denbighshire and Flintshire at Prestatyn and Ffynnongroyw1. Households in these areas were among those under NRW flood warnings at the peak of the storm on 9 April1. The statement says the full picture of impacts was still emerging as of 16 April, so the figures for flooded properties may change1.
The Cabinet Secretary said preparedness is critical and pointed to NRW's practical guidance on what to do before, during and after a flood, adding: "I urge everyone to make use of this support"1. NRW's flood warnings and risk maps for Wales, and the difference between alerts and warnings, are set out in our guides to Wales: Natural Resources Wales warnings and risk maps and flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings. Households can read about signing up for free flood warnings and getting warnings without email or for several addresses, and about what to do during a flood at home and the checklist when a flood warning is issued. Our flooding hub covers related subjects including flood doors and windows and home insurance in a flood risk area and Flood Re.
What happens next
The statement says officials are in contact with local authorities across Wales, as is usual after such events, and will continue to receive further information in the coming days and weeks1. It also sets out flood risk management funding for 2024-25, including £75m allocated through the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) programme, and coastal schemes at Kinmel Bay (£14.1m), Barmouth Viaduct Gardens (£3.4m) and Llandudno (£3.4m) through the Coastal Risk Management Programme, all areas affected following Storm Kathleen1. The Natural Flood Management Accelerator Programme, launched in October 2023, will see a further £4.6m invested in nature-based solutions across Wales1.
Wales Flood Warnings and Maps
Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings
Flood Warning Checklist
