As Storm Claudia swept across Wales in mid-November 2025, the town of Monmouth found itself at the epicenter of a crisis that tested the mettle of its residents, emergency services, and local leaders alike. The deluge, which brought a month’s worth of rainfall in just 24 hours, transformed the usually tranquil River Monnow into a surging threat, forcing a major incident declaration and prompting a multi-agency rescue effort that would come to symbolize both the peril and resilience of the Welsh community.
According to Natural Resources Wales, the River Monnow reached record water levels overnight on November 15, 2025, putting homes, businesses, and even pets in grave danger. Among the first to sound the alarm was Paws Pet Supplies and Grooming Salon, a local pet shop whose late-night social media post became a rallying cry for the community. The shop, left powerless and waterlogged, faced the heartbreaking reality that its cold water and tropical fish would not survive unless swiftly rehomed. "We have no power still in the shop and the fish (cold water & tropical) are still there in our tanks and will most likely pass away if they are not relocated," the shop wrote in an appeal that quickly spread through Monmouth’s networks.
In a testament to the town’s spirit, residents responded in droves. By Sunday morning, the shop had been "inundated with kind messages" and volunteers were at the premises, carefully catching and relocating the fish to new homes. The store’s team made it clear they were not seeking payment, emphasizing, "We cannot guarantee [the fish] will survive or potentially cause any issues in your current tank." They also reassured prospective helpers that the tank water remained clear and uncontaminated, as the power loss had disabled the sump pumps and prevented muddy floodwater from mixing with the tanks. While all rabbits, mice, and turtles were safely evacuated, only one of the store’s guinea pigs could be saved—a somber reminder of the storm’s toll.
Meanwhile, the town’s official response was in full swing. The Mayor of Monmouth issued a statement on November 15, 2025, confirming that Monmouthshire County Council teams were "on the ground now, assessing damage and offering practical help." Residents in need of urgent assistance or forced from their homes were urged to contact the council for coordinated welfare checks and immediate support. The mayor’s words struck a chord: "Monmouth is a resilient and caring community. We will support one another through this."
Behind the scenes, the overnight rescue efforts were nothing short of heroic. The HM Coastguard Area 13 Flood Team, bolstered by officers and trained volunteers from across South and West Wales—including Broad Haven and Dale—worked tirelessly to evacuate those trapped by rising waters. According to the Pembrokeshire Herald, the team included Simon Ashton from Dale Coastguard and Daniel Church from Broad Haven Coastguard, who joined colleagues from Penarth, Cardigan, Mumbles, Port Talbot, and Porthcawl. Their operation was part of a broader multi-agency response that saw fire, police, and ambulance services collaborating under immense pressure.
Firefighters and coastguard crews carried out rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks throughout the night, as the storm’s relentless rain battered the region. The Fire Brigades Union reported that emergency services were "stretched to the limit," responding to more than 80 flood-related callouts overnight across South Wales. HM Coastguard described its flood teams as having worked "tirelessly through the night" in difficult and dangerous conditions, supporting their emergency partners on the ground.
The scale of the flooding and the speed with which it unfolded left many residents reeling. As one message from NCI Wooltack Point commended, "Well done Simon & Dan, teamwork all round," reflecting the gratitude and admiration felt for those on the front lines. Yet, the crisis also exposed the vulnerabilities of communities facing extreme weather, as children and families grappled with the emotional scars left by repeated flooding. The Senedd, Wales’s parliament, heard warnings that children were now afraid to go to bed when it rained heavily, haunted by memories of past floods and fears for their pets and possessions.
During a debate on November 12, 2025, Senedd member Llŷr Gruffydd, chair of the climate committee, presented findings from an inquiry into recent storms. He noted that Wales risks "falling behind" England in flood forecasting technology, with technical limitations potentially affecting the accuracy of warnings. Gruffydd highlighted troubling disparities in public engagement with weather alerts, especially among low-income and digitally excluded households—only 9% of low-income households in the UK are signed up for flood warnings, compared to 31% in affluent areas, according to the British Red Cross.
The Senedd’s report called for the Welsh Government to ensure Natural Resources Wales had access to the latest forecasting technologies and sufficient funding. While the government accepted most recommendations, it rejected calls for a review of emergency funding and for grants to help families and businesses install preventive measures like floodgates. This decision drew criticism from opposition members. Janet Finch-Saunders, the Conservatives’ shadow climate secretary, remarked, "The inquiry found that residents and businesses reported that the emergency support and funding was not anywhere near sufficient to cover the damage." Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell echoed concerns about the "hidden scars" left by flooding, noting, "The kinds of storms that used to be considered a once-in-a-century event are now happening on an almost annual basis."
On the government’s side, Deputy First Minister and climate secretary Huw Irranca-Davies pointed to record investment: "We have invested £77m in flood resilience this year—a record allocation." He assured the Senedd that Natural Resources Wales now operates a "clearer, more timely" 24/7 flood warning information system, refined after each storm. "We will continue to listen, to learn and to invest in the solutions that safeguard our communities and our natural environment," he pledged.
The events in Monmouth during Storm Claudia were a microcosm of broader challenges facing Wales as climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events. From the tireless work of emergency responders and the outpouring of community support to the debates in the Senedd over funding, technology, and mental health, the story of these days is one of both vulnerability and remarkable resilience. As the waters recede, the lessons—and the scars—remain, shaping how Wales prepares for the storms yet to come.
