Gwynedd councillor praises community efforts as storms cause significant damage and costs to local council
Gwynedd: The recent storms have really taken a toll on the area. Councillor June Jones has been singing the praises of both the council staff and the local community for their incredible efforts during this tough time.
After Storm Éowyn and Storm Herminia hit, she urged anyone struggling to reach out to their local councillor for help. It’s all about supporting each other, right?
She also gave a huge shoutout to the council workers who’ve been on the front lines, clearing fallen trees and fixing up the roads. “They’ve been amazing,” she said, and it’s true. Without them, things would have been a lot worse.
When Storm Darragh rolled in, it caused chaos. “We had about 30 roads blocked at one point,” she mentioned. The emergency alert came in at 3 a.m., and the staff were already out there tackling the mess.
Thanks to their hard work, emergency services could get through. Thankfully, while there was a lot of damage, no lives were lost, which is always the biggest concern.
But the costs have been steep. The council has racked up around £400,000 in expenses just from dealing with the aftermath of these storms. That includes overtime for staff who’ve been working extra hours to keep up with everything.
In her own ward, Glaslyn, the damage was particularly bad. Huge trees came crashing down, blocking roads and causing landslides. It’s been a real struggle, with some roads closed for up to a week.
Flooding was another issue, affecting both roads and homes. Plus, many areas lost power and phone lines, which just added to the chaos.
But the community really stepped up. Jones praised the residents of Glaslyn and Beddgelert for looking out for one another. Local shops even helped charge hearing aids for the elderly during power outages. It’s heartwarming to see such kindness.
She reminded everyone to stay prepared for future storms. Having a torch ready and keeping phones charged can make a big difference. And with the new alert systems in place, we can all stay a bit more informed.
