Flood warning - but only a test

A free flood warning telephone system is also being promoted

Puzzled residents of Port Talbot may have wondered why an Environment Agency van was touring Port Talbot on Friday, issuing flood warnings from a loudhailer.

They may have been even more perplexed since we are in the middle of a heat wave with not a cloud in sight.

Yet there was a very serious and practical side to the agency's flood message since it was a practice alert for the real thing.

A spokesman said: "We couldn't hold it at a time when their was a real risk of flooding since this would have confused people.

"If it had rained on Friday, we would have even cancelled the test for fear of alarming people."

The van toured the Port Talbot area for two hours, broadcasting the warning but emphasising that it was a test message and that no action was required.

There are 2,949 properties in the Port Talbot area considered to be at risk of flooding, including the Sandfields and Wildbrook estates and parts of the town centre.

Nearly 3,000 homes are at risk of flooding in the Port Talbot area

Agency flood expert Andy Irving said: "Even though the town has not experienced significant flooding, it is essential that residents realise it can never be totally prevented.

"Even though the town is well defended, people still need to be aware of the flood warning methods we use in the locality."

Next Friday the Environment Agency will be knocking on doors in mid Wales to drum up support for its free flood warning telephone system.

People in Aberaeron are being asked to sign up for the Automatic Voice Message (AVM) system which is targeted at those who live or work in areas at risk from flooding.

The free service sends an automatic voice message directly to a home, business or mobile phone number to give advance warning of flooding which may affect property.

Some 260 properties are currently being classed as at risk from tidal flooding in the town since a large proportion of Aberaeron has been built on land originally reclaimed from the sea.

The agency said plans were in hand for improvements to the existing coastal defences.