Funding for flood defences 'not adequate', says leader of Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru's leader has criticised the Welsh Government's funding of flood defences.

Whilst visiting people affected by the flooding in Trehafod, near Pontypridd, Adam Price AM said the current level of investment is "not adequate" or "at the scale that is necessary now."

Both Mr Price and the First Minister, Mark Drakeford AM, were in The Valleys today speaking to people who are trying to come to terms with the damage left by Storm Dennis.

Many areas in south Wales were heavily flooded with South Wales Police declaring a "major incident" as people were evacuated from their homes.

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Mick Antoniw, the AM for Pontypridd, visited flood-hit residents in The Valleys to see for themselves the devastation. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Adam Price described the "heart-wrenching" stories he heard from people whose houses had been damaged by flood water.

He said that whilst it is good that Welsh Government "is offering financial support to the Local Authority areas affected", Wales needs a "review of flooding policy."

Mr Price added that he would be asking questions of the Welsh Government like whether the country should have a Cobra-style national emergency response system that deals with flooding disasters.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru county councillor for Pontypridd, said the ordeal has been "horrific".

South Wales Police declared a 'major incident' over the weekend as people were evacuated from their homes. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Mark Drakeford was also in Pontypridd speaking to people living there and seeing the damage firsthand. He said that the Welsh Government and the local authorities will be making a plan for how to get help to people "quickly and...effectively".

He added that some extreme weather events, like that which Storm Ciara and Dennis brought, are difficult to predict but acknowledged that they are more likely to happen in the future.

Mr Drakeford also said that Welsh Government will be spending £350 million on flood defences over the next Assembly term.

People in Nantgarw had to evacuate their homes. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Areas like Nantgarw, Aberdulais and parts of Monmouthshire were severely affected by Storm Dennis as streets were left underwater.

Hundreds of businesses and homes had to be evacuated.

The clean-up operation begun today as people returned to their properties to assess the damage.

Several local rugby clubs and community centres around south Wales have opened their doors offering shower facilities and food for people displaced.