This weekend saw large amounts of flooding hit the town of Builth Wells, after Storm Darragh hit much of Powys.

The banks of the River Wye burst, with witnesses saying the river levels were their ‘highest ever’. Natural Resources Wales recorded a peak of 4.965m for the Wye in Builth Wells on Saturday afternoon. The highest level ever recorded was 5.05m in February 2020.

Jamie Morris, a firefighter for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue service, said: “It was mental how fast it went up and down. We were physically watching the water it was going down by a foot in 10 mins. We pumped out some houses and had a few people rescued from vehicles.”

Traffic was closed going in and out of Builth Wells, due to the roads being flooded.

Many in the area were without heating or electric for hours.

Some in the area have complained that scenes of flooding like the one on the weekend is a “regular occurrence” in Builth, and that more should be done to prevent it.

Businesses in the area had to close, with cars being moved from the Toyota Garage to prevent damage.

Builth Wells town council took to Facebook to say that a town cleanup is underway, sharing photos of roads that were now clear of flooding. In their post, they said: “Thankfully the water has started to recede and now the clean up begins: big thanks to the team from Penmaenau farm who have cleared The Strand (A483) and reopened the road.

“Unfortunately the public toilets near the river on The Groe will have to remain closed until we can get them properly cleaned.”

A spokesperson for Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 2.36pm on Saturday, December 7th, MAWWFRS crews from Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells Fire Stations were called to an incident on the Strand, Builth Wells.

“Crews responded to flooding of a property’s basement, following the river breaching its banks. A wading team isolated the property’s boiler and crews pumped water from the basement using a main pump. Crews left the scene at 5.48pm.

“At 4.49pm on Saturday, December 7th, MAWWFRS crews from Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells Fire Stations were called to an incident in Ysgiog, Builth Wells.

“Crews responded to one vehicle stuck in floodwater. No persons were inside the vehicle on arrival, crews placed hazard tape across both ends of the road to avoid any further vehicles from entering the water. Crews left the scene at 5.26pm.

“At 5.58pm on Saturday, December 7th, the MAWWFRS crew from Llandrindod Wells Fire Station was called to an incident on Station Road, Builth Wells.

“The crew responded to one casualty stuck in one vehicle in floodwater. A wading team rescued the casualty from the vehicle using a rescue sled. The crew left the scene at 6.24pm.”