Storm Henk batters Vale of Glamorgan in wet start to 2024

The New Year and its new resolutions, goals and targets were all washed away in what has to be one of the wettest starts to a year in a long time.

On January 1, the Civil Aid Voluntary Rescue Association had to provide assistance to residents of Dinas Powys, with the threat of evacuating the homes of elderly and vulnerable people.

On January 2, the B4265 outside Llantwit Major was closed with 100 yards of the road submerged in unpassable water.

Natural Resources Wales put flood alerts on rivers in the county including around Cowbridge and heading down towards Barry on the river Thaw, and there was flood alerts on the river Ely, with areas of Penarth affected.

Storm Henk left the Vale wet... (Image: Newsquest)

Fields next to the Sully Moors Road, Barry (Image: Newsquest)

Storm Henk took no prisoners in the Vale (Image: Simon Jagger)

A drive round a wet county in the aftermath of Storm Henk

On January 3, we drove across the county to see what was left in the wake of Storm Henk and you’re not getting any prizes for guessing what we found – water, lots of water…

The wet stuff was building, with highway maintenance officials in place, on Lavernock Road just past Cosmeston Lakes park.

Water was building on Lavernock Road on January 3 (Image: Newsquest)

Highway officials were at the scene just past Cosmeston Lakes park (Image: Newsquest)

Swathes of fields were submerged in water round Cold Brook, Cadoxton River the A4055 between Barry and Dinas Powys.

Swathes of fields between Barry and Dinas were entirely under water (Image: Newsquest)

Areas round Cold Brook and Cadoxton River were flooded (Image: Newsquest)

As we drove further into the county we went to Cowbridge, where the river Thaw, which does have a flood warning attached to it, was holding up well.

The river Thaw at Cowbridge (Image: Newsquest)

The river was high but holding up well (Image: Newsquest)

Then we headed down to Llantwit Major and that roundabout at the B4265.

Traffic was slowing and building on the road just past St Athan with flash flooding across both lanes.

Sections of the B4265 past St Athan were under water (Image: Newsquest)

When we got to the roundabout at Llantwit Major and the turn off on the B4265 heading west from Cowbridge Road – there was no turn off… Just police tape in front of a section of road entirely submerged in water.

A section of the B4265 at Llantwit Major was still closed January 3 (Image: Newsquest)

In the distance, a car submerged in water (Image: Newsquest)

South Wales Police say they were dealing with a number of issues across the county, while the Civil Aid Voluntary Rescue Association say they performed a total of 38 hours of service, travelling 180 miles.

There were concerns for an evacuation in parts of Dinas Powys (Image: Supplied)

• Read more: Vale residents faced evacuation during Storm Henk

As we go to press, we have no confirmation the B4265 at Llantwit Major has reopened.

On Storm Henk and its effects on the county, a South Wales Police spokesperson said: “We are dealing with many reports of weather-related incidents across the region including flooded roads and fallen trees.

“Motorists are advised to drive with caution as there will be a considerable amount of debris and surface waters on roads across South Wales.”