Thread by @voice_wales

THREAD:
Storm Dennis has devastated communities in the Valleys. Major flooding has ruined homes and left people uprooted with nowhere to go. Mudslides (pictured, via Facebook) have caused additional damage and the threat of more to come remains dangerously high. 1/13

These are some of the worst floods in living memory. The likelihood of extreme weather events like this is increasing. This graph (via Met Office) shows the prevalence of storms and flooding since 1980 has gone up significantly as human made global warming has increased. 2/13

In other words, we can expect more events like Storm Dennis in the future. If urgent action against climate breakdown is not taken now, the effects in future will be far worse. And like other climate events, it is often the poorest who are hit the hardest. 3/13

AM for Rhondda @LeanneWood, who has been out in affected areas, has said today that "Many of the people who have lost everything in today’s floods are not insured."

Those with less money are also more likely to be in housing that is less resilient to water damage. 4/13

The poorest communities also have the least resources to deal with the effects of extreme weather. Off road vehicles or alternative accommodation are harder to access.

We've also reported how many areas have been 'hollowed out' by austerity, leaving them less able to cope. 5/13

And while many have reported on the incredible efforts of people to come together and help those worst affected, and the vital work of emergency services in saving lives, there's also been real anger that some places have received little help so far from the state. 6/13

One caller into BBC Radio Wales this morning from New Tredegar, where cars have been submerged, said only his local councillor was seen over the weekend and a lorry distributed just 6 sandbags. "I don't think we've received the help we deserve," he said 7/13

Another woman from Mountain Ash described the effects of severe flooding. "The roads are totally gridlocked," she said. "We've been underwater...but we feel a bit neglected up here at the moment." Other than sending sandbags, there was very little help at hand she said. 8/13

Like elsewhere, councils in the Valleys have overseen huge job losses in the last decade, as well as tumbling wages & worsening conditions. This has left a service unable to cope & a depleted & demoralised workforce. In cases of extreme flooding, these problems are laid bare.9/13

Anger at being 'neglected' is turning increasingly political as well. One texter into the radio this morning wrote: "Sums it up for me. Mark Drakeford says it'll take a week to assess the damage to a bridge..while in China they can build a hospital in about 10 days." 10/13

The issue has also raised fresh questions about plans to close Royal Glamorgan A&E in The Rhondda, with people pointing out that access out of valley to alternative A&Es being impossible for many. The political effects of the storm is part of a wider problem. 11/13

This image was posted on Facebook with the comment. "This is the bottom of the Rhigos, people are not going to get to PCH (Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr) from over the valley if that gets worse! Why would you put people under that kind of risk. Save RGH a&e!!" 12/13

Several crowdfunders have been set up to help victims of the storm.
They are here: crowdfunder.co.uk/pontypridd-flo…

gofundme.com/f/rhondda-plai…

13/13

On Facebook, multiple groups have also been set up to coordinate action to help victims.
One for Pontypridd can be found here:
facebook.com/groups/5414103…

And another crowdfunder here:
crowdfunder.co.uk/pontypridd-flo…