Village residents forced to evacuate

ABERDULAIS is a scenic, quiet village in Neath Port Talbot lying unassumingly along the River Neath.

With a population, according to the 2011 census, of just 2,400 people, it is usually a peaceful place. But Storm Callum turned life upside down for many living there at the weekend.

Homes were damaged and businesses left counting the cost of the “worst flooding in 20 years”.

As torrential rain fell, many were forced to evacuate their homes due to rising water levels on Friday.

Natural Resources Wales said Canal Side and nearby commercial properties in Aberdulais were subject to a flood warning.

Among those hit worst were Len and Carol Wood, who live in a converted cottage just off the B4242, and had to make a dramatic escape from their home on Saturday as five feet of water rushed in.

Mrs Wood said: “We were in a complete panic, it was really frightening.

“We ran upstairs, quickly got a bag of clothes and had to escape out of the window, there was no way we could get out of the door, the water was too high.

“We also have two spaniels which we had to rescue from our outhouse.”

Mr Wood estimated it would cost around £40,000 to repair all the damage.

“We’ve had to throw out our fridge freezer, washing machine, furniture, all are ruined,” he said.

The pair have been left without any heating or electricity since Saturday night.

“We’re lucky we’ve got a log burner fire,” Mrs Wood said.

“We’ve been using it to warm water for a cup of tea and grill steak for the dogs.

“We’ve been here for 12 years and have had water come up before but never like that.

“You’re lying in bed now hearing the rain and you think ‘God’, but what can you do.

“You can’t go on living in fear for the rest of your life.”