Residents of a north Pembrokeshire coastal town, which suffered severe flooding earlier this year, are being urged to get ready for the winter.

Up to 14 properties in Lower Town Fishguard were flooded during the severe weather of January and February.

Now Pembrokeshire County Council - along with other agencies - is organising a special event next month to give Lower Town residents the chance to meet emergency responders and discuss their preparations for the winter weather.

“Last winter an exceptionally high tide combined with storm surge and wave action resulted in widespread coastal flooding along the whole of the Pembrokeshire coast,” said Councillor Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services.

“With spring tides at their highest over the next 18 months, there is a small but elevated increase in risk of coastal flooding again and so we would urge people to get ready.”

Simone Eade, Flood Incident Officer, Natural Resources Wales said: “The storms we saw earlier this year caused widespread damage and disruption across many coastal communities.

“Lower Town Fishguard has a history of flooding, and in the wake of this we have worked with the community to install individual flood gates to 45 homes to provide improved protection from the tide.

“As winter approaches, we’re also encouraging people to think about other small steps they can take to prepare, such as drawing up an emergency flood plan. Taking small actions now could lessen the impact of a flood on your home in the future.”

The drop-in surgery will be held at Fishguard Yacht Club on Tuesday October 21(4.30pm to 6.30pm).

It will be attended by officers from Pembrokeshire County Council, Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Natural Resources Wales, South Wales Trunk Road Agent and D?r Cymru Welsh Water.

Officers will be available to listen to residents’ experiences and answer questions, as well as share information and advice.

For more information about how to prepare for flooding,including how to register for free flood warnings, call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or visit www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk