THE Welsh Government stands ready to step in people hard hit by the recent flooding according to Economy Minister Ken Skates.

Mr Skates, who was visiting a construction site at Rhos-on-Sea said: “Llanrwst as hard hit, as were many other communities, including Llanfair TH.”

To help deal with flooding in Wales, he said: “We will make £10 million available immediately. An emergency fund has already been activated and that is open to businesses and home owners to access it if they have been hit by the floods.

“The £10 million is for the emergency flood scheme for all of Wales. We will be assessing the damage caused by these floods, and there have been estimates up towards £180 million in terms of the costs. Of course many of many of the costs will fall on the insurers.”

Mr Skates added: “The moment Storm Ciara hit and those homes in the Conwy Valley were flooded, the Government actioned the emergency fund scheme which was deployed within days. It coincided with Storm Dennis hitting Wales as well.

“The Government is prepared to stand up and help people. We are ready to help local authorities as well in the clean up operation. We will be looking at what is going to be required once that work has been concluded, so in the future, villages can be protected.”

He added: “We will assess what sort of damage has been caused once we’ve got all information from all communities. Then we will judge whether any additional monies need be spent on flood protection programmes, and on repairing the roads and the infrastructure that has been damaged, and helping individuals.

“This has been terribly traumatic for a huge number of people. I visited Llanfair TH and what I’ve really been quite taken by is the courage people are showing throughout this period.

“I learned that somebody who works for Natural Resources Wales, while the flood was taking place in Llanfair TH spent 45 minutes giving CPR on a gentleman who had had a heart attack, and sadly that gentleman passed away. This person who immediately reacted to try and save the man’s life got back to work helping other people straight away. These heroic acts, have really brought out the best in people in communities that have been affected.”