Storm Babet: Roads in Flintshire remain closed following Friday’s heavy downpours

In the wake of Friday’s heavy downpours caused by Storm Babet, a number of roads remain either closed or only passable with extreme caution in Flintshire.

Yesterday, residents were cautioned to limit travel to absolute necessities as a significant number of roads were blocked due to flooding.

Many homes were flooded and 54 schools across the county closed.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended 44 flood-related incidents between 7.30am and 10.30am on Friday morning.

The onslaught of water has led to both internal and external flooding across numerous towns in the region.

Areas including Broughton, Mold, and Kinnerton experienced multiple episodes of flooding.

In Mold alone, properties in Queens Park reported both internal and external flooding.

Notably, Brook Street in Mold saw as many as 40 properties presumably affected.

While many of the incidents involved flooding inside properties, a significant number also pertained to vehicles getting trapped or stuck due to rising water levels.

Penyffordd and Llanfynydd, for instance, reported vehicles mired in the water.

Broughton appeared to be one of the most affected areas, with numerous incidents reported from streets such as Lancaster Road, Hope Road, Main Road, and Gladstone Road.

Wepre Brook broke its banks in several places including the bottom of Killens Lane submerging a parked car, pictured above.

The Met Office had placed Flintshire under a yellow weather warning until 6 am today, a caution that was lifted with the forecast of drier conditions for most of the day.

The A5104 Chester road this morning around 9 am at Broughton many roads were still blocked after the terrible weather last 24 hours, as I tried to get down to the Broughton shopping park @DeesideDotCom @ChronSallie @chestertweetsuk #StormBabet #Weather pic.twitter.com/8w2JS4Douo

— Welshie (@welshiedale2022) October 21, 2023

However, the lingering effects of the storm continue to pose challenges, as of 5 pm on Saturday, 8 roads are currently unpassable and require road closures across the county:

• B5129 Chester Road, Sandycroft Airbus roundabout to Glendale Avenue
• Bretton Lane, Bretton
• A548 Shell garage flint to Bagillt
• A541 Hendre Quarry junction to Caerwys Junction
• A541 Pont Terrig to Plas Teg dual finish Hope side
• Manor Lane Hawarden
• Rake Lane Hawarden
• Padeswood Lake Road off A5104 Golf course

Waste & Recycling Rounds

All rounds planned for today, Saturday 21 October, are intended to be collected as usual, but due to the location of the rounds some disruption may be encountered. Areas that were missed yesterday, are being prioritised for collection today.

Furthermore, train services between Wrexham and Bidston continue to be cancelled today (Saturday) adding to the travel woes of the residents.

Transport for Wales (TfW) highlighted the cause, stating, “Due to heavy rain flooding the railway the line is disrupted. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”

The disruption extends to the wider rail network, with TfW advising customers to check before travelling on the Wales and Borders network due to ongoing issues following Storm Babet.

[Main photo: ‘Anonymous Facebook User’]