Flood risk triggers Monmouth residential park evacuation

People living in a Monmouth residential park are being asked to evacuate due to rising river levels and flood water entering the site.

Gwent Police and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service are currently advising residents of Riverside Residential Park to leave their homes due to the flood risk, rising river levels and the need to evacuate before events turn into an emergency rescue.

Monmouthshire Council is providing transport from the park to Shire Hall in Monmouth town centre, which has been set up as a temporary rest centre.

Natural Resources Wales has issued a flood warning for the river Wye in Monmouth and the high river level has triggered a multi-agency response to evacuate people from the park during these conditions.

Tim England, Operations Manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We’re working with Gwent police and Monmouthshire Council to quickly evacuate people safely from the residential park.

“Recent heavy rain across South Wales is causing the river level on the Wye in Monmouth to rise and will continue to rise for the next few hours.

“The rain may have subsided, but some river levels are still rising as peaks move downstream.  We’re encouraging people to stay vigilant and check our website for flood warnings in their areas and listen to any advice given on what action to take.”