Storm Franklin: 75 flood warnings and alerts issued for Wales

There are now 75 flood warnings and alerts in place across Wales as Storm Franklin continues to batter the country.

As of Monday, February 21, Natural Resources Wales has issued 27 flood warnings for the country and 48 alerts. This number is likely to change throughout the day as the storm sweeps over the country.

Sustained rainfall and winds caused by storms Dudley and Eunice, as well as the upcoming Franklin, has forced Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to issue a series of alerts.

There are three kinds of warnings and alerts that NRW issue- flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings.

The least severe is a flood alert. This means "flooding is possible, be prepared".

Next it is a flood warning which means "Flooding is expected - immediate action required".

The highest level is a severe flood warning which means there is a threat to life.

These are the 27 flood warnings in place:

River Towy

• Isolated properties between Llandeilo and Abergwili

River Ithon

• River Ithon at Disserth

River Wye

• River Wye at Glasbury

• River Wye at Builth Wells

River Usk

• River Usk from Brecon to Glangrwyne

River Severn

• River Severn at Llandrinio

• River Severn at Criggion

• River Severn at Pool Quay and Trewern

• River Severn at Buttington

• River Severn at Welshpool

• River Severn at Llandrinio

• River Severn at Criggion

• River Severn at Pool Quay and Trewern

• River Severn at Buttington

• River Severn at Welshpool

• River Severn at Cilcewydd

• River Severn at Trehelig

• River Severn at Berriew

• River Severn at Caerhowel

• River Severn at Abermule and Fron

• River Severn at Aberbechan

• River Severn in the Caersws area

• River Severn at Dolwen and Llandinam

• River Severn at Llanidloes

• River Severn at Dyffryn, Newtown

River Teme

• River Teme at Knighton

River Vyrnwy

• River Vyrnwy at Llanymynech

• River Vyrnwy at Llansantffraid

• River Vyrnwy in the Meifod area

You can see the latest flood warnings on the NRW website here.

Flood alerts

There are 48 flood alerts in place at present, these cover almost every part of Wales including most rivers, coast lines and The Valleys.

• River Alyn at Mold

• Coast from Aberthaw to Severn Bridge

• Usk estuary

• Wye Estuary in Monmouthshire

• River Usk in Monmouthshire and Newport

• Rivers Wye and Monnow in Monmouthshire

• River Lugg in Powys

• River Ely

• River Usk in Powys

• River Wye in Powys

• River Cynon

• River Taff

• River Arrow in Powys

• River Alyn at Rossett

• Alyn catchment

• North Wales coast

• Rivers Gwendraeths

• River Rhymney

• Rivers Loughor and Amman

• Upper Teme upstream and including Knighton

• Upper Severn in Powys

• River Elwy at Lower Denbigh Road

• Upper Teifi

• Vyrnwy catchment

• Mawddach and Wnion Catchment

• Conwy Catchment

• Elwy and Gele Catchment

• River Dee at Bangor on Dee

• River Dyfi at Pont ar Ddyfi

• River Clwyd at Glasdir, Ruthin

• Clwyd Catchment

• Upper Tawe

• Rivers Llynfi and Ogmore

• River Neath

• River Dee in the Lower Dee Valley

• Upper Dee catchment

• Swansea Bay and the Gower coast

• Tidal area at Crofty

• Carmarthenshire coast

• Pembrokeshire coast

• Ceredigion coast between Clarach and Cardigan

• Dyfi Catchment

• Lower Dee catchment

• Lower Teifi

• Rivers Bran and Gwydderig

• Upper Towy

• Lower Towy

• Rivers Taf and Cynin

What should I do to prepare for a flood?

According to NRW, you must consider the needs of everyone on your property and make sure everyone knows the escape plan:

• it might be safest to move to a room upstairs, ideally with a window that could be a potential escape route
• if you are in a basement or bungalow, think about where else you could move to for safety
• think about where you could move belongings, upstairs, on top of pieces of furniture or in your car
• store valuable or sentimental items up high all year round

You should also prepare a flood kit of essential items and keep it handy in case you are evacuated and make sure people know where to find it.

This should include:

• copies of your home insurance documents
• a phone charger and battery pack
• a list of important telephone numbers
• a torch with spare batteries
• a radio – on your phone or battery operated
• warm, waterproof clothing and blankets
• a first aid kit and prescription medication
• bottled water and non-perishable food
• baby food and baby care items
• pet supplies
• rubber gloves and wellington boots
• face masks and hand sanitiser

During a flood, you should turn off gas, electricity, and water.

• The gas valve is usually located next to your gas meter.
• Your electricity main is usually a red switch on your fuse box.
• Your water stopcock is usually under a kitchen sink or where the water pipe enters your home.

Contact your supplier if you don't know how to do this.