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| Wales floods: Summit looks at improving resilience | Wales floods: Summit looks at improving resilience |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A summit is to consider how Wales can respond to the growing threat posed by flooding. | A summit is to consider how Wales can respond to the growing threat posed by flooding. |
| Last year serious floods hit north and mid Wales, and one woman died. | Last year serious floods hit north and mid Wales, and one woman died. |
| The Welsh government will spend £47m in 2013/14 on flood and coastal erosion risk management. | The Welsh government will spend £47m in 2013/14 on flood and coastal erosion risk management. |
| "We know our climate is changing and that as a result we are set to see, and have already seen, an increase in rainfall and storms," said Environment Minister John Griffiths. | "We know our climate is changing and that as a result we are set to see, and have already seen, an increase in rainfall and storms," said Environment Minister John Griffiths. |
| He said that by working together and sharing knowledge "we can vastly improve our resilience to flooding in Wales". | He said that by working together and sharing knowledge "we can vastly improve our resilience to flooding in Wales". |
| Landslips | Landslips |
| "Flooding and coastal erosion are two of the biggest natural hazards we face and can cause damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and in severe cases, loss of life. | "Flooding and coastal erosion are two of the biggest natural hazards we face and can cause damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure, and in severe cases, loss of life. |
| "What we need is early planning and preparation so we are ready to cope with the challenges ahead." | "What we need is early planning and preparation so we are ready to cope with the challenges ahead." |
| Last year was a disastrous one for flooding in Wales. In June, a month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours in Ceredigion, hitting Aberystwyth and surrounding villages, trapping people in their homes and flooding caravan parks. | Last year was a disastrous one for flooding in Wales. In June, a month's worth of rain fell in 24 hours in Ceredigion, hitting Aberystwyth and surrounding villages, trapping people in their homes and flooding caravan parks. |
| In November, a 91-year-old woman died and more than 1,000 people had to leave their homes after the River Elwy burst its banks in St Asaph, Denbighshire. | |
| In December, heavy flooding hit the Vale of Glamorgan while homes in Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valley were evacuated after landslips brought thousands of tonnes of soil down onto a road. | In December, heavy flooding hit the Vale of Glamorgan while homes in Ystalyfera in the Swansea Valley were evacuated after landslips brought thousands of tonnes of soil down onto a road. |
| Monday's summit in Cardiff will unite the Welsh government, local authorities, the Met Office, Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Water, and other key partners who all play a part in responding to and managing flooding. It coincides with climate change campaign Climate Week. | |
| The minister is also to announce details of how the £47m which is being allocated to flooding will be spent. | The minister is also to announce details of how the £47m which is being allocated to flooding will be spent. |
| Emyr Roberts of Natural Resources Wales, a new agency that will take over responsibility for Environment Agency Wales, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission next month, said he thought Wales had the right approach to flooding in the past. | |
| "Obviously in many areas the answer is to raise flood defences, but increasingly we're putting more emphasis on communities - raising awareness about what the flooding risks are and what individuals can do about it," he said. | |
| 'Protect properties' | 'Protect properties' |
| "Obviously, we're working very closely with the emergency services, but I think the summit... will be looking at longer term issues and ways in which we might use the natural environment to alleviate the problems of flooding." | |
| The Welsh government would provide strategic leadership and invest significantly, said Mr Griffiths, but in return it expected to see continued commitment and co-operation from all the flood risk management authorities. | The Welsh government would provide strategic leadership and invest significantly, said Mr Griffiths, but in return it expected to see continued commitment and co-operation from all the flood risk management authorities. |
| Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said the role of the local community was also important in tackling the challenges caused by severe weather. Communities which develop a flood plan can act more quickly and effectively when flooding happens. | Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant said the role of the local community was also important in tackling the challenges caused by severe weather. Communities which develop a flood plan can act more quickly and effectively when flooding happens. |
| "It is vital that services comes together and work hard to save lives, protect property and help communities recover," said Mr Sargeant. | "It is vital that services comes together and work hard to save lives, protect property and help communities recover," said Mr Sargeant. |
| "This was demonstrated in serious flood incidents last year and we owe our emergency services a debt of gratitude for their professionalism, commitment and dedication." | "This was demonstrated in serious flood incidents last year and we owe our emergency services a debt of gratitude for their professionalism, commitment and dedication." |