WINTER STORMS - NORTH WALES, FIRST ON SCENE

Rhyl, Dee, Moelfre and Penmon – and also HM Coastguard’s Sector Manager for Clywd and Holyhead Coastguard.

North Wales was one of the first areas hit by the floods this winter. On 5 December 2013, the Rhyl and Dee Coastguard Rescue Teams responded to serious flooding in a residential area of Rhyl. Officer in charge that day was Ged Butters and his decisions ensured the safety of hundreds of residents cut off by the flood waters.

Approximately 200 hundred houses were affected with most residents being elderly and infirm. The teams, geared up in their water rescue kit, carried out door to door searches and everyone was eventually accounted for. Some residents were taken to hospital to be checked over.

Further flooding at Golden Sands Caravan Park resulted in 50 residents being evacuated to a safe area. Dee Coastguard Rescue Team also supervised the evacuation of residents in an area of Talacre.

Meanwhile, the Moelfre and Penmon Coastguard Rescue Teams were sent to Red Wharf Bay to check the safety of residents in low lying areas who were cut off by the tide with one person evacuated from a mobile home. All of the properties were checked to make sure everyone was out safely.

Ged had to think on his feet and make quick decisions to help the hundreds of residents cut off by the flood waters. He and the teams gave up their free time in treacherous conditions to ensure the safety of others.



Richard Martin, Chief Coastguard, says:

“Coastguards have worked tirelessly over the past few months as storms and tidal surges have battered many parts of the UK coastline. I'd like to take a moment to thank them all for their sterling efforts in what have been very challenging conditions.

“From the staff coordinating efforts in our Coastguard centres, to those rescue officers out in their communities, so many have given up their free time to help out. Some have done so in the early hours, on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day and even spending time away from loved ones on Valentine’s Day.

“Over the next few days and weeks, we’ll be featuring some examples of the work carried out by Coastguards during the storms. My thanks again to everyone involved in the storm rescue efforts as we all worked together to help keep the public safe.”

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