When boats and canoes common on streets... the the Taff flooded city subu

IT IS perhaps the only time exotic circus animals have been seen wading through water in Cardiff and Christmas trees spotted floating down the street.

Boats and canoes replaced cars and vans, volunteers desperately rescued trapped residents and handed out candles and food while emergency services worked around the clock as shopkeepers watched on in horror as their entire stock floated away.

This is the story of the last big flood to hit Cardiff and the devastation it caused for hundreds of families just days after Christmas.

It started with heavy rain during December 1979, when a combination of water and snow came crashing down the Valleys to Cardiff.

With a constant downpour over a number of days, the water levels of the River Taff continued to rise until the river finally burst its banks on December 27, leaving large parts of Canton, Pontcanna and Grangetown 5ft deep in water.

More than 1,000 people had to be evacuated and two people died, as the city’s bus fleet became temporary homeless shelters.

Now aged 60, Cardiff police officer Russell Southwood was 21 at the time of the flood and a new member of the force.

He said: “There was a circus in Sophia Gardens and we had to escort the animals to the Arms Park Stadium in Westgate Street.

“This was before the Taff has burst its banks – the animals came first. I was helping to escort the elephants.”

After water started pouring into houses, however, attention quickly changed to focus on those trapped in their homes. He said: “We were trying to help people who didn’t want to stay in their homes and taking them to higher ground by boat.

“It was a slow process. We had no concept of time, it was just heads to the ground. We were working for 24 hours without any break and then having a rest before going back out.

“The fire service were a great help and the army were called in. At this point the water was at least four or five foot deep.”

For the police officer, one of the most surreal sights was the steady stream of items being swept away down the streets.

He said: “There was food and beer bottles and you could see it just floating down. There were a couple of clothing shops which were badly affected but there wasn’t much looting.

“People were very calm and there was no panic whatsoever. It was surreal, people just listened.

“Shopkeepers took it on the chin but it was the clean-up which caused the main concern.”

Meanwhile, for others working that day there was no time to waste as water continued to pour down Cowbridge Road East.

At 22, Denise Williams was making her way to work as a trainee midwife the day after Boxing Day when she was stopped by police.

She said: “I was training as a midwife at St David’s Hospital and living in the nurses’ home at the University H of Wales. I got as far as the anim and saw a rowing boat stranded middle of the road. I got to Cat Road but couldn’t get any further.”

Determined to complete the jo on foot, the water became steadily until the midwife was stopped i tracks by a policeman.

Mrs Williams, 59, added: “I was second thoughts when a polic stopped and asked me how tall I I’m only 4ft 9in.

“They got a group of us togethe liaised with the fire services so appliance came and drove us acro water.

“I can see exactly why the polic