Storm Eunice wreaks havoc

STORM Eunice brought extremely high winds to Carmarthenshire on Friday and through the weekend causing significant disruption and danger. The storm caused huge disruption to council services, with schools closing and bin collections suspended on Friday.

We also closed our leisure centres, parks, libraries, theatres and museums as a precaution to keep both staff and residents safe, along with the recycling centres, day centres and customer service Hwbs and cash desks.

Routine housing inspections and planned works were also suspended so any emergency works caused by the storm could be prioritised. Our contact centre and out-of-hours staff dealt with hundreds of calls, and staff were mobilised throughout the night and day to deal with the damage caused by the storm.

Between Friday and Monday our highways crews dealt with weatherrelated highway reports, and this figure continues to rise, resulting in numerous road closures which the crews, supported by specialist tree contractors, worked hard to clear. Some of these road closures are still in place and they will re-open once it is safe to do so.

Our property teams also dealt with over 300 calls, mainly from housing tenants, reporting damage to their homes, such as loose roof tiles, or fences blown down, as well as from some schools.

Our social care staff continued to support our most vulnerable. Staff were out travelling in the difficult conditions ensuring they could provide the support to those in our communities. Some care home staff had to deal with power cuts on site, but they all ensured our residents were well cared for and kept safe.

All our staff have worked non-stop throughout the weekend in horrendous conditions, and they’re still keeping going as we start to clear up the destruction it left behind – but it will take some time.

I would like to say a big thank you to all our staff for all they do to keep us safe all year round and in all weathers. Diolch yn fawr!