A continuation of the search near Cwmbran, for Gwent Police

The SARA Beachley lifeboat crew were called out around 2245, to support a multi-agency operation in Chepstow.  SARA Lifeboat 3 was launched, right at the bottom of tide, and proceeded to the River Wye.  Thankfully the situation was resolved before long, and the lifeboat was stood down at 2320.  The crew then had a challenging recovery to get the boat back onto the trailer, with the end of the slipway exposed, before they could turn the kit around and get back home.

SARA Newport were tasked by Gwent Police to assist with a continuatin of the search near Cwmbran

Notwithstanding the flood relief work overnight, we were called out late morning to support Gloucestershire Police with a missing person search in the Brockworth area, near Gloucester.  

Land search teams from SARA stations at Tewkesbury, Beachley and Cotswolds, plus colleagues from Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group, and a water team from SARA Sharpness all attended.  Teams searched all afternoon.  With nothing found, the search was suspended at 6.30pm.

We were preparing to deploy again the following morning when it was reported that the missing person had thankfully been located safe overnight.

Many thanks to all who responded, and the Cheltenham Chase Hotel for their hospitality.

With kit still wet from the Monmouth floods and with a team deployed on a missing person search in the Gloucester area, we were called out to a search in the Lower River Wye.There had been a report of a person entering the water below Monmouth.  South Wales Fire and Rescue Service were already searching; we put a spotter at Brockweir Bridge and launched Rescue 5 at Bigsweir Bridge.  

The Coastguard helicopter was soon on scene at Brockweir, and then searched upstream.

With nothing found, and the swollen river full of floating debris, we were stood down after about an hour.Many thanks to all who responded.

Around 2045, the water crew were tasked to assess 2 cars in King’s Norton that were stranded in flood water to ensure that there were no occupants inside. Shortly before arriving on scene, the crew were stood down as the vehicles had been confirmed as empty.

From 1pm on Friday afternoon and throughout the night, teams from SARA supported the Storm Claudia flood response effort in Abergavenny, Skenfrith and Monmouth, and the surrounding areas.  

This was a real multi-agency collaborative effort, led by Fire, where we worked alongside and directly with colleagues from Fire, Police, HM Coastguard, Ambulance and Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.SARA members from our stations at Beachley, Sharpness, Tewkesbury and Newport attended, sometimes for more than one stint.  

Together, our agencies have carried out rescues and evacuations, and have undertaken welfare checks on residents impacted by the rising water. As a team, we are devastated to see the effects of this flooding on our communities.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected.