Report finds cause of Ruthin estate flooding

A report into flooding at the Glasdir Estate in Ruthin has found that a combination of factors caused the flooding of more than 100 homes.

The report, produced by Environment Agency Wales for the Welsh Government, concluded that;

• debris blocking culverts stopped flood water from draining to the floodplain on the other side of the dual carriageway
• gradients on the opposite side of the culvert meant that flood water could not drain to the wider floodplain and flood relief channel

• heavily saturated ground in the lead up to the event as well as the sheer length of time the river Clwyd was in flood were also important factors

The report which is being distributed to the homes that were affected concludes that the earth bund which protects the Glasdir estate was overtopped due to these factors.

The Agency’s flood experts produced a model of the event to replicate the flooding on 27 November.

An investigation of the site, evidence from eye-witnesses, and photographic evidence showed that

the culverts would need to have been 85% blocked in order to cause the flooding of the estate.

The report will now be shared with relevant bodies and organisations to reduce the risk in the future.