Storm Callum: Almost 200 Welsh homes hit by flooding

Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn called on people to work together

Almost 200 homes were hit by flooding in Wales over the weekend, Wales' environment minister has said.

Hannah Blythyn revealed the extent of the damage from Storm Callum on Tuesday, with roads, railways and farm land hit by record river levels.

Properties across nine local authorities were affected, while some 38,000 people suffered power cuts.

Ms Blythyn said ministers were giving "full consideration" to emergency help for councils after calls for more cash.

Meanwhile a £100,000 emergency fund has been set up by Carmarthenshire council to help people hit by the weekend's flooding.

Twelve households along the river in Pont Tyweli, near Llandysul, Ceredigion, will each receive £200 towards repairs as some did not have insurance due to high premiums.

Ms Blythyn, who met residents in Llandysul on Tuesday, said the floods had caused "devastation".

"Our current estimates are that 218 properties across Wales suffered internal flooding, of which 195 were homes, the majority of these being across the southern half of the country," she said in the assembly, adding that the figure is likely to change.

Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn visited Llandysul to see the damage

A number of roads and bridges around the country were hit, she said, with some remaining closed.

Some rivers recorded their highest levels on record, and in many places drainage systems were overwhelmed, she said.

"Storm Callum brought large amounts of rainfall in Wales, with up to 160mm being recorded in a 24-hour period - more than the monthly average for this time of the year," she said.

In the Senedd Conservative and Plaid Cymru AMs called on the Welsh Government to provide more financial assistance to councils in flood-hit areas.

Ms Blythyn said financial support was available in emergencies, and she urged councils to contact Welsh Government officials.

"It's really important that we all work together to support the communities," she said.

• Storm damage clean-up after 'worst floods'

• Storm Callum: Flooding around Wales

Adrian Thomas's flooded home needs repairs including new flooring

Carmarthenshire council has set up a hardship fund for residents "most in need of financial support", it said, with officials visiting people to provide support.

Adrian Thomas, whose home near Pont Tyweli was hit by flooding, said he was quoted more than £3,000 for household insurance three years ago because his property was near to the river.

He has moved in with relatives while repairs to flooring are carried out to his home.

"We are back daily trying to clean up," he said, adding that the £200 cash offer would go some way to help.

Water levels had receded on the River Teifi

Ceredigion council senior officer Rhodri Llwyd said a review would consider what further action was needed to protect communities from flooding.

"Our thoughts go out to all those residents who have been affected," he said.

He said infrastructure had also been damaged with costs expected to run into millions of pounds.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said the flood clean-up cost it £100,000, with 187 calls for help between Friday and Sunday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

On Tuesday Conservative Senedd leader Paul Davies accused Carwyn Jones of not making flood defence a priority after cash for it was cut from £18m to £9.5m a year ago,

Mr Jones said the Welsh Government had invested "a great deal of money" - £350 million - since 2016 in flood defence.

Some communities said the flooding was the worst in 30 years.

Corey Sharpling, 21, from Newcastle Emlyn, died in a "freak" landslip on the A484 at Cwmduad between Carmarthen and Cardigan on Saturday.