With the 25th anniversary of the Towyn Floods fast approaching, Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has invited the Minister for Natural Resources,  Carl Sargeant AM,  to visit the area to commemorate the significant date.

On February 26, 1990, coastal homes in Towyn were inundated with up to six feet of saltwater when crashing waves breached a sea wall. Up to 6,000 people were forced to leave their homes and many were unable to return for months.

Darren, whose family home was hit, said:    

“I was just a teenager when a combination of storm-force winds, a high tide and extreme wave conditions caused a 400m long breach of the sea wall flooding properties, including my family home. We were unable to move back into our home for 6 months as my parents battled with the insurance company and oversaw the building repairs. It was awful and it has saddened me to witness further homes being flooded in North Wales in recent years.

“Whilst we cannot prevent extreme weather conditions, we should be able to reduce risk of flooding to existing homes and businesses through a combination of flood defence improvements and efficient flood warning systems. It is therefore important that we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Towyn floods and use it as an opportunity to promote flood awareness in Wales and to remind the Welsh Government to invest in flood defences.

“I hope the Minister takes up the invite and joins us to remember this significant North Wales event.”  

Picture Caption: Clwyd West AM Darren Millar at the flood defences in Kinmel Bay last year.