On the afternnon of Friday November 14, and throughout the early morning of Saturday, teams from the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) supported the Storm Claudia flood response effort in Abergavenny, Skenfrith and Monmouth, and the surrounding areas.

This was a classic multi-agency collaborative effort, led by Fire, where SARA worked alongside and directly with colleagues from Fire, Police, HM Coastguard, Ambulance and Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.

SARA members from stations at Beachley, Sharpness, Tewkesbury and Newport attended, sometimes for more than one stint. Together, the agencies have carried out rescues and evacuations, and have undertaken welfare checks on residents impacted by the rising water.

A spokesman for the group said: “As a team, we are devastated to see the effects of this flooding on our communities. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”