'Prepare for the unthinkable' warning over autumn flooding — SkimNews
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- Natural Resources Wales (NRW) warned people to prepare for 'the unthinkable' this autumn, citing long-range forecasts of wetter, windier conditions and increased flood risk across Wales
- NRW stated that 274,500 homes and businesses in Wales are currently at risk of flooding, with one in seven properties vulnerable and the number expected to rise significantly by 2100
- NRW reported only 27% of eligible properties — 48,844 out of 181,158 — are signed up for flood warnings via phone or email, despite the service being freely available
- Jeremy Parr of NRW emphasized that flood defences cannot prevent all flooding and urged people to consider personal preparedness, noting many past victims 'never thought it would happen to them'
- Residents in Monmouth described 'harrowing' flooding in November 2025, with 18 cars lost and multiple homes inundated after three rivers overflowed during a nighttime surge
- Jane Roche in Cardigan helped coordinate a community flood plan, saying frequent flooding has disrupted businesses and residents, but collective action has improved local resilience
- Sarah Davies from the Met Office said long-range forecasts indicate a greater chance of weather-related disruption from October to December, though exact timing and severity remain uncertain
Why it matters: With less than a third of at-risk properties signed up for flood alerts and climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather, communities across Wales face growing exposure to life-threatening and costly flooding — especially as El Niño amplifies global weather instability. The gap between risk and preparedness makes individual action urgent.
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