Major investment is needed to prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding in Carmarthenshire following last year's Storm Callum, according to a councillor who feels his concerns are not being listened to.
Scores of houses and businesses were inundated last October and a 21-year-old man, Corey Sharpling, died when he was caught up in a landslide on the A484 near Cwmduad.
The rainfall was so heavy over a three-day period that it created the biggest flood on record in the River Teifi catchment area, representing a one in 300-400 year event.
Other waterways were affected, including the River Towy in Carmarthen , and the clean-up operation and repairs to roads and bridges cost millions of pounds.
The massive impact of Storm Callum:
Johnstown and Pensarn bore the brunt of the damage.
Cllr Alan Speake, who represents Carmarthen Town West, told a scrutiny committee that more needed to be done.
The committee was considering the findings of a 140-page Storm Callum report, which set out 55 recommendations and actions.
Most of them will be taken forward by the council but some require input from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh Water.
Cllr Speake said he felt excluded by what he described as an "officer-led report".
He said he and other ward members had asked to attend a meeting involving the council, NRW, Welsh Water and Network Rail but hadn't been allowed to.
"We had evidence of flooding in Johnstown and other Carmarthen wards," he said.
"We asked to be present at that meeting to convey information from the last fifteen-and-a-half years.
"I have got numerous emails about flooding, and sewerage back-ups.
"We have gone through this experience many times in previous years. No-one seems to be listening."
He added: "We need major investment, similar to what's happening in Llanelli."
Welsh Water has spent several million pounds on measures to mitigate surface water flooding in Llanelli and Gowerton , with schemes planned up to 2020.
The Storm Callum report pointed to gaps in understanding of flood protection and drainage assets in Carmarthenshire, some of which belong to the council, and others to NRW, Welsh Water and Network Rail.
Cllr Speake said he felt these organisations were not "working on the same frequency" and that council officers could learn from elected members.
A council officer said officers had engaged with councillors representing the areas affected, while executive board member for environment, councillor Hazel Evans, said Cllr Speake had sent his apologies for absence for a democratic services unit meeting in which Storm Callum was discussed.
Cllr Speake replied: "That was internal - that's the point I'm trying to make."
The report said some of the flooding at Johnstown between October 11 and 13 was caused after contractors appointed by the council removed part of a flood defence embankment without telling the authority. The breach has now been repaired.
The report found that some drains were privately-owned, and that better information was needed about all such assets, how they were maintained and what condition they were in.
The recommendations of the report are not a solution to flooding, but will provide evidence when future flood defence schemes are proposed.
Met Office data contained in the report showed that Storm Callum dumped up to 20cm of rain in some parts of the Brecon Beacons, and that the River Teifi rose to record levels, breaking its banks at Pont Tyweli, Llandysul.
There was also a warning that communities would have to take action themselves.
The report said: "This report has highlighted that in times of austerity, the county councils and NRW can no longer offer the level of responsive services they once did, due to resource limitations."
The environmental and public protection committee accepted the report, which will be considered by the executive board in due course.
Speaking after the meeting, Carmarthen Town South councillor Alun Lenny said he and his three ward colleague covering Johnstown wanted to see the actions proposed in the report implemented as soon as possible.
He said only five of the 15 actions had been completed.
Cllr Lenny said the authority reacted quickly to help residents and businesses after the storm and called for it to show the same urgency now.
He and his ward colleagues are organising a public meeting - and want representatives from NRW and Welsh Water to attend - but no date has been confirmed as yet.
