Many left to count cost after
CEREDIGION and parts of north Carmarthenshire were badly hit by the floods in the Lampeter Llandysul area.
Bridges were closed over the River Teifi at Llandysul, Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Llechryd and Llanybydder.
At Llandysul the river reached its highest level since records began in 1971.
The waters had completely submerged the bridge at Llechryd and Llandysul fire station was flooded with the crew having to relocate elsewhere in the town to continue its work.
Cenarth bridge was inspected by Carmarthenshire Council’s structural engineer and re-opened on Monday afternoon in liaison with Ceredigion Council.
However, Ceredigion Council said some drivers had ignored road closures and moved signs.
Councillor Dafydd Edwards, cabinet member responsible for highways and environmental ser- vices 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.”
Cawdor Terrace, the main street in Newcastle Emlyn saw flooding and homes in the town’s Teifi Terrace were evacuated.
Business owners said the levels of water in the river were unbelievable.
One of the worse hit premises was the town’s Riverside Cafe off Bridge Street in the town.
Owners, cousins Radhika Kelly and Karuna Hinchliffe saw the popular cafe deluged with four feet of water.
Radhika described it as her “life’s dream ruined.”
Adding: “Storm Callum hit us with full force and has totally destroyed and devastated our little business that we have been building this past yearand-a-half.
“It had been mine and my cousin Karunas’ dream to own and run a veggie and vegan cafe together our whole lives.
“To finally fulfil this dream after planning, saving and fundraising a yearand-a-half ago, only to have it ripped away from under us in one foul swoop in one day is devastating to say the least.”
The pair have launched a crowdfunding page to help with the repairs to get the business back on its feet.
The GoFundMe page has a target of £5,000 but Radhika fears costs may be double that.
She said: “We have lost a massive portion of our equipment inside and outside and need to replace around 90% of everything we own and need to run the business.
“The river was rising so high and destroyed and contaminated it all inside.
“A lot of our food and drink stock is also ruined and will need replacing.
“On top of replacing all the equipment and food etc we will need to have all the electrics checked and possibly redone, we will also need to get a profesional cleaning team in to decontaminate the whole place of the river water and any bacteria it may hold and make it fit for business again, plus redecorate inside and out.”