Business as usual in Bangor-on-Dee despite flooding

Severe flooding caused by rain over the weekend led the River Dee to burst its banks in a number of locations, including Bangor-on-Dee.

The flooding caused extensive damage and disruption in the area, with the A525 and the Straight Mile both being closed.

On Monday morning, the only route still open in to the village was through Overton, although those in the community said they were well-prepared.

Video by Craig Colville

Tracy Adams, of the Middle Shop in the village said: "We're used to it because it happens so often.

"It's people coming in to the village who aren't used to it that have the problems, because they don't know the alternative routes, or try to drive through the water.

"The police do their best, they put the barriers up, but people still try to drive through it. It's crazy."

She added: "It's not been as bad as it was in 2000. We're used to it and we just get on with it, business as usual.

Video by Rory Sheehan

"There was a meeting in the community centre on Saturday night, with the police, Natural Resources Wales and the community council, and to be fair they had everyone really well prepared.

"But as long as people are sensible in the conditions, there are no issues."

Ian Humphreys, a local photographer who witnessed the flooding first-hand, caught stunning images of horses coping with the deluge.

He said: “The horses were a distance away on a field at the end of a bend which had been submerged due to the flooding. They had places themselves on a slightly higher patch of land but the fast flowing waters were just beneath their stomachs.

“I could just see them from the top of the flood dyke during the morning and early afternoon, during this time I met the keeper and an RSPCA inspector who said rescue would be dangerous due to the level of water and flow. The hope was that the levels would drop in the afternoon so a possible rescue could happen.

“Around 4pm a team from Llangollen white water rafters arrived and were preparing to journey down to try and achieve rescue, but just before their arrival two men had donned waders to try and reach the horses before dark.

“Luckily one was a local man who knew the lay of land even though water was way above bank.

“After much struggle they managed to reach the horses and using the lead mate they guided the herd through the deep water to the gates opposite the flood dyke.

“I photographed the end of the rescue in relief that most had made it back.”

RSPCA Cymru’s regional flood coordinator, inspector Phil Lewis, said: “We’d like to thank people for flagging up their concerns about these horses which have now been moved to a more suitable location.

“We attended the location and were present between 10am - 5pm and monitored the horses through the day, however due to health and safety concerns it was decided for officers not to enter the water. The horses were not in an immediate danger and water levels were dropping.

“RSPCA Cymru would advise anyone in the vicinity of a floodplain to register for flood warnings with Floodline or Natural Resources Wales.”

Although floodwaters are set to subside, Bangor-on-Dee racecourse have said they are monitoring the situation.

In a statement posted on Twitter a spokesman said: "The racecourse experienced some flooding over the weekend.

"Water levels have already receded and we will be monitoring the situation in the run up to this Saturday's fixture.

"With dry weather forecast for the week, we are hopeful that racing will go ahead as planned."

Meanwhile the Cross Foxes in Erbistock had a close shave, with floodwaters rising up into the beer garden.

Ian Pritchard-Jones from the Cross Foxes said: "We often get asked if the river ever floods into the garden, here is the answer.

"It hasn’t ever been this high during our time at the Cross Foxes."

Natural Resources Wales report that by the end of the week there is a very low risk of flooding, saying: "River levels at Bangor on Dee are falling and are expected to do so for the next 24 hours."