Key Highlights
- Dogs trapped in loft as floodwaters rise at a dog sanctuary in Carmarthenshire.
- 28 dogs were left stranded after river banks burst, forcing the closure of the sanctuary.
- Emergency services rescued nine dogs but could not save the rest due to their reactivity.
- Flooding continues across Wales with severe warnings and school closures.
Floodwaters Rise in Carmarthenshire: 28 Dogs Trapped at Dog Sanctuary
Heavy rain and rising river levels have forced the closure of a dog sanctuary in Carmarthenshire, trapping dogs inside as floodwaters rise. According to Alison Clark, who runs Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary in Trimsaran, the property was completely cut off for the 12th time since July. “The dogs are safe,” she told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Wednesday, adding that “the rest are just in crates up in the loft—where they’ve got nowhere to go for their toilet or any food left.”
The flood had wiped out almost all of the sanctuary’s dog-food supply, with only two bags remaining. Clark stated, “There’s no electricity and nothing for the dogs.
The bedding is soaking. No one, in the 25 years that they’ve been living here, has ever seen anything like this.”
Emergency Services Respond to Flooding
Emergency services were called upon to rescue nine of the 37 dogs living at the sanctuary as water levels rose rapidly on Tuesday. A severe flood warning, meaning a danger to life, was issued at Kiln Caravan Park near the River Ritec in Tenby by Natural Resources Wales. Other flood warnings and alerts were also in place across various areas in south-west and north-west Wales due to widespread flooding and disruption.
Emma Beattie reported that “joint fire control centre operators processed more than 450 calls within a 12-hour period on flooding-related incidents, including calls from people who were trapped in their homes and vehicles. Very high spring tides, caused by the ‘supermoon,’ are another factor in the ongoing flooding, particularly in parts of Carmarthenshire.”
Impact Extends Across Wales
In Pembrokeshire, widespread surface water flooding led to motorist rescues and route closures. Rail services between Whitland and Carmarthen were also suspended due to flood warnings. Additionally, several schools in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire were closed for the day as residents were urged to sign up for phone alerts.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies addressed the situation in the Senedd, saying “our hearts go out” to those affected by the flooding.
He also noted that he was in touch with schools regarding students missing exams due to the flooding and emphasized the need to consider unforeseen events like these.
As of Wednesday evening, Natural Resources Wales still had several flood warnings and alerts in place, including seven schools in Carmarthenshire and one in Pembrokeshire. Low-lying properties in Ammanford, Llandybie, and Aberlash, along with the river Towy in Carmarthenshire, were also expected to be impacted by flooding.
Expert Perspectives and Future Implications
The current situation highlights the ongoing challenges of climate change and extreme weather events. According to environmental experts, rising sea levels and increased precipitation due to climate change are exacerbating flood risks in coastal areas like those affected in Wales.
“This is an unforeseen eventuality but those things will need to be considered as well,” said Irranca-Davies during his address in the Senedd. He stressed that such events require comprehensive planning and response mechanisms from both government and community levels.
Local communities are also being advised to take proactive measures, including signing up for flood alerts and preparing emergency kits.
As the supermoon continues its effect on coastal areas, residents and businesses remain under alert until Thursday.
The incident at Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary underscores the vulnerability of smaller facilities that may not have robust emergency protocols in place. The resilience of such establishments is crucial as climate-related disruptions become more frequent.
