Heavy rain brought flooding to several areas: swelling rivers, blocking roads, and forcing some residents to leave their homes to keep clear of the rising waters.
During 14-15 November, volunteer Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs) assisted more than 150 people, including welfare checks, responding to 999 calls, and evacuating at-risk households.
HM Coastguard is ready to support our fellow emergency services
The CROs brought their flood training and equipment, including dry suits and liferafts, to operate alongside South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police, and the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Senior Coastal Operations Officer Mark Parkin said: “HM Coastguard is ready to support our fellow emergency services wherever assistance is needed.
“We were proud to have helped keep the people of Monmouth safe during this major incident. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the damage caused by the flooding.”
Responding over several days, the CROs were confronted with deep flood water and cold, driving rain.
Assistance included rescuing a bed-bound elderly man and his disabled wife as waters rose around them at their home in Monmouth.
CROs also helped an engineer safely navigate through waist-high water to activate a pumping station that quickly helped bring local flood levels down.
Preparing for the storm
Before Storm Claudia arrived, preparations were underway. As the Met Office issued amber and yellow alerts, CROs assembled in Monmouth, predicted to be close to the centre of the worst affected area.
The complement of nearly 40 volunteer CROs and full-time officers gathered at the town’s fire station to form Flood Response Teams, arriving from across Wales as well as Somerset, Dorset and Devon. Borth and Burnham Coastguard Rescue Teams also attended.
Discover more about the skills of Coastguard Rescue Officers.
All CROs have skills in water rescue, casualty care and essential coastal flood response. But some are also taught expertise in wider flooding incidents, inland as well as by the sea.
When disaster strikes, they can be brought in from around the country to form specialist Flood Response Teams to support affected areas.
Training, often alongside other emergency services, can include rescues from flooded vehicles; retrieving people from floodwater; and safe navigation of flooded streets to reach casualties.
The training and familiarity with equipment vital for flood response, such as dry suits, lifejackets and two types of rescue rafts, makes the CROs especially effective working with helicopters and casualty care, on top of their skills in search.
• HM Coastguard is one of the UK's frontline emergency services. In an emergency by the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
