UK – Heavy Rain From Storm Callum Causes Major Flooding in Wales

At least 2 people died as Storm Callum swept across parts of the UK over the weekend, 12 to 14 October, 2018.

The storm brought winds of over 70 mph (112 km/h), high waves and torrential rain. Some areas of Wales recorded over a month’s worth of rain during the storm. Libanus in the Brecon Beacons, south Wales, recorded 198mm of rain in a 36 hour period, above the October monthly average of 146mm.

The heavy rain caused rivers to overflow and wide areas of Wales were badly affected by floods. By 13 October there were 46 Flood Alerts and 31 Flood Warnings in place in Wales. Homes and businesses were damaged and rail and road travel severely disrupted, with Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and south Powys the worst affected.

Flood alerts in Wales during Storm Callum, 13 October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales

Natural Resources Wales said river levels have been amongst the highest seen in south west Wales for many years and some of the flooding in Carmarthenshire was the worst for 30 years. Rivers reached record levels in at least 4 locations; the Tywi at Capel Dewi and also at Pothouse Wharf, the Teifi at Llanfair and the Gwili at Glan Gwili.

Two people died as a result of the storm. A man was swept into rough seas in Brighton, East Sussex. Another man died in a landslide on a road in Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, 13 October.

Flooding was also seen in some parts of South West England. Flooding damaged rail tracks near the Teignmouth Estuary in Devon. Rail services between Penzance and Exeter were suspended as rough seas crashed over the track.

Rivers in Wales

Gwili at Glan Gwili in Wales during Storm Callum, October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales
Teifi at Llanfair in Wales during Storm Callum, October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales
Tywi at Pothouse Wharf in Wales during Storm Callum, October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales
Dulais at Cilfrew in Wales during Storm Callum, October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales
Tywi at Capel Dewi in Wales during Storm Callum, October 2018. Image: Natural Resources Wales

Social Media

https://twitter.com/MarcTierneyLab/status/1051164739911516160

Flood Summary

Last updated: October 18, 2018
Event
Storm Callum, England and Wales, October 2018
Date
October 12 to October 14, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Carmarthenshire
B - Ceredigion
C - Powys
D - Teignmouth Estuary

Magnitude

Rainfall level
138.6 mm in 24 hours
Libanus, Wales - October 12 to October 13, 2018
Rainfall level
85.2 mm in 24 hours
Sennybridge - October 12 to October 13, 2018
118 mm recorded in Sennybridge, Powys in 72 hours to 14 October
Rainfall level
57.8 mm in 24 hours
Bala, Wales - October 12 to October 13, 2018
Rainfall level
72.4 mm in 24 hours
Shap, Cumbria, England - October 13 to October 14, 2018
River level
4.5 metres
Tywi at Capel Dewi - October 13 to October 13, 2018
River level
7.30 metres
Tywi at Pothouse Wharf - October 13 to October 13, 2018
River level
4.4 metres
Teifi at Llanfair - October 13 to October 13, 2018
River level
2.9 metres
Gwili at Glan Gwili - October 13 to October 13, 2018
River level
1.4 metres
Dulais at Cilfrew - October 13 to October 13, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
2 people
October 12 to October 14, 2018
A man was swept into rough seas in Brighton, East Sussex. Another man died in a landslide on a road in Cwmduad, Carmarthenshire on Saturday, 13 October.
Buildings damaged
218 buildings
Wales - October 12 to October 14, 2018
Wales' environment minister said "Our current estimates are that 218 properties across Wales suffered internal flooding, of which 195 were homes, the majority of these being across the southern half of the country."