AS Storm Jorge swept across the country last weekend, a critical incident was declared by South Wales Police following flooding throughout the region.

Areas affected included parts of Penarth as flooding led to road closures and travel disruptions.

A flood warning for the River Cadoxton in Dinas Powys was issued at 1.32pm on Friday, February 28.

Meanwhile residents reported water surface flooding at Pen-Y-Turnpike Road and high water levels in nearby streams.

Now the incident has led to questions about the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s future preparations for flood defence.

Vincent Driscoll, Conservative councillor for Dinas Powys, has expressed his gratitude to the emergency services for assisting residents affected by the floods but stated that more investment and better planning is needed by the Vale Council.

Cllr Driscoll said :“I was amazed by the lack of planning from the Vale Council on Friday when the storm was coming in, it wasn’t until 2.30pm that communication from the council started to advise the public what to do but it was wrong information to what we were told.

“I turned up to Court Road Depot; there were no sandbags there. I think the council and Welsh Government need too more to investing and have a better flood risk strategy, they had plenty of warning that the storm was impending.”

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council responded:

“The Council keeps sandbags at its Court Road depot, which are available to residents to combat flooding.

“Following the exceptionally heavy recent heavy rainfall, staff making the bags were briefly unable to keep up with demand.

“The initial limit of 15 bags per person was reduced to 10 before the supply briefly ran out. However, it was quickly replenished by dedicated staff, who worked late into Friday night and throughout the weekend to assist residents affected by flooding.

“The council has a specialist Emergency Response Team in place to deal with the effects of severe weather and this team was fully operational from 11am last Friday morning.

“Recently, this team has responded by closing flooded roads, removing fallen trees and assisting other worse hit Local Authorities such as Rhondda Cynon Taf.”