A HUGE clean-up operation is underway to deal with the aftermath of the worst flooding the Tivyside region has seen in decades.

Scores of homes and businesses were inundated by floodwater as Storm Callum brought chaos to Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, with communities along the River Teifi particularly hard hit.

The Teifi at Llandysul reached its highest level since records began in 1971, said a spokesman for National Resources Wales.

At Llechryd, the river was six metres above its normal level.

Bridges at Newcastle Emlyn and Llechryd remain closed pending structural assessments but Cenarth and Llandysul bridges have reopened.

The B4476 Abercerdin has been reopened as has the A484 from Cenarth to Cardigan. The B4343 Cellan is passable in single file, but not to HGVs and similar vehicles.

The B4459 Capel Dewi remains closed as approximately 100 tons of landslide debris is removed.

Welsh Government environment minister Hannah Blythyn will visit Llandysul this morning (Tuesday, october 15) to see first-hand the damage caused by the flooding over the weekend.

In Llandysul, 34 properties, six businesses and the local fire station were flooded. The minister will visit the area to see the impact of the floods and meet those affected to thank the local council, Dyfed Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service for their hard work over the weekend and with the ongoing recovery.

In the afternoon, the Minister will make a statement at the National Assembly.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s operational team has now switched its efforts from emergency response to recovery and supporting affected communities and businesses.

Additional resources have been put in place to collect ruined carpets, furniture and other waste, with cages and skips being dispatched to worst hit areas.

People are advised to check with their insurers before disposing of any items.

Dehumidifers have been provided to as many homes as possible.

A hardship fund has been established for residents most in need of financial support, and housing officers will be visiting homes and helping people to complete and submit insurance claims.

A Facebook site has also been set up in Newcastle Emlyn to raise funds to help those hardest hit by the flooding.

Business support officers are also making contact with retailers and businesses to support them and rate relief is also being sought from Welsh Government.

Highways, cleansing and refuse crews continue to sweep and clean debris left by the receding floods, and inspections will take place on all affected road surfaces, verges and bridges.

Specialist teams are being drafted in to support crews, including divers to inspect underwater structures and areas that have experienced landslides.

The council continues to urge people to take extra care and to allow extra time for their journeys as a number of diversions will remain in place.

Carmarthenshire County Council chief executive Mark James said: “Our staff have been working hard to respond in extremely difficult conditions. Now that the flood waters have subsided we have shifted our focus from response to recovery and we are doing all we can to support everyone affected.

“A full assessment of the damage is underway, and, as well as working with partner agencies, we are also speaking with Welsh Government to ensure appropriate resources are in place.”

Flooding forced a number of roads and bridges in Ceredigion to close. The council is now aware that a small minority of motorists have ignored the signs placed to close roads, and have moved the signs to one side.

Cllr Dafydd Edwards, the Cabinet member responsible for Highways and Environmental Services said, “It was very disappointing to learn that a small minority of motorists have not only ignored clearly placed signs, but have even moved them out of the way.

“In ignoring the signs, individuals have potentially been putting themselves at risk. In moving the signs, they have also potentially been putting others at risk. I urge people to be patient not to attempt journeys on any road or bridge that hasn’t been deemed safe and re-opened.”

Council housing officers are currently visiting flood affected properties to provide information and guidance to householders. These visits involve identifying potential vulnerable householders, advising on housing and insurance concerns, determining whether ongoing support is needed beyond the short term together with involvement of other support services where required.

They can be contacted on 01545 570881 and housing@ceredigion.gov.uk.

Council Environmental Health Officers are Clean-up operations have started. Public Health Wales has advice to help do so safely: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/94751

Ceredigion council has also set up bulky household waste collection free of charge for the flooded properties. To organise a collection, those affected should call 01545 572572.

Public Health Wales has issued advice on clearing up - go to wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/94751

Natural Resources Wales officers will be inspecting flood defences and other assets to assess and repair any damage caused by the high river levels and volumes of water.

Jeremy Parr, NRW head of flood and incident risk management said: “Our sympathies go out to anybody impacted by these floods and Storm Callum, it is an unwelcome reminder of the damage that severe weather can do.

“While some communities were significantly affected, for many the flood defences did their job and reduced the worst of the impacts.

“After any major flooding event there are lessons to be learned and Storm Callum is no exception, so we will review what took place and how we responded to identify where improvements can be made.

“We won’t just look at the flood defence network, but also at our incident response and our warning and informing before, during and after the incident.”