Storm response

The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (the Committee) has agreed to undertake a short inquiry on the impact of Storms Bert and Darragh.

Report: The Committee published its report: The response to recent storms (PDF 1.8MB) on 9 September 2025. The Welsh Government responded (PDF 6.63 MB) on 21 October 2025. Natural Resources Wales responded (PDF 151 KB) on 22 October 2025.

Background

In the space of two weeks in late 2024, Storm Bert and Storm Darragh hit Wales. These storms caused flooding, landslides, and widespread damage to infrastructure across the country.

Winter rainfall in the British Isles has increased in recent decades, due to human-induced climate change, and storm intensity and frequency is likely to increase further this century.

The Committee will consider the following, and any other relevant matters:

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>>>Whether preparation, forecasting, warning, and alert systems were adequate.

>>>The resilience of infrastructure such as water and sewerage systems, electricity distribution infrastructure, and transport networks to storm impacts, including flooding landslips, culvert damage and sinkhole formation.

>>>The impact on communities, and the role of landowners, community groups,  and third sector organisations.

>>>The response of public and private authorities.

>>>Whether relevant organisations have learnt lessons following previous winter storms, particularly Storm Dennis in 2020, and how these lessons inform the current approach.

>>>Using the case studies of Storms Bert and Daragh to gain an overarching view of the current storm preparation and response framework in Wales, and identifying any gaps.

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Our approach

The Committee will hold oral evidence sessions with forecasting bodies, public authorities, energy suppliers and water companies as well as undertake an engagement programme to hear the stories of individuals from communities most affected by storms Bert and Darragh, during the Spring term.

The output from the Committee’s work will be shared with the Welsh Government.