Residents and visitors across Pembrokeshire are preparing for a spell of unsettled weather as Storm Ingrid approaches, with strong winds and persistent rain expected to sweep in from the Atlantic. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain and wind covering much of Wales and southwest England from 2 am on Friday, 23 January until 9 am on Saturday, 24 January, warning of gusts of up to 60 mph and significant rainfall.

Forecasters say the system, named by the Portuguese national weather service, will arrive from the southwest and intensify through Friday. An initial band of rain is expected early on Friday, with 10–20 mm possible in just a few hours. Because the ground across Pembrokeshire is already saturated from weeks of wet weather, even this first burst could lead to surface water flooding and travel disruption, particularly on minor routes and low‑lying coastal roads.

As the day progresses, the band of rain is expected to push northwards, but heavier showers and further spells of persistent rain will follow into the evening. The Met Office has warned that a further 15–20 mm of rain could fall widely by Saturday morning, with local totals of 30–40 mm not out of the question. Slow‑moving showers and saturated soils raise the likelihood of temporary road closures and swollen watercourses across the county.

Coastal communities around St Davids, Tenby, Milford Haven and Fishguard are likely to feel the worst of the wind. Gusts of 45–50 mph inland and up to 60 mph on exposed headlands and coastal stretches are forecast, making for blustery conditions along the Pembrokeshire coastline. Large waves and spray are expected to accompany the strong winds, with the potential for spray and sea foam across coastal roads at high tide.

Although the yellow warning expires on Saturday morning, blustery showers and breezy conditions are set to persist through the remainder of the weekend. Inland winds are likely to ease slightly on Saturday as the system begins to move away, but coastal gusts and frequent showers are expected to remain a feature.

Local authorities, including Pembrokeshire County Council, have urged caution on the roads and advised communities to secure loose outdoor items and check property drainage in advance of the worst weather. Travelers have been reminded to allow extra time for journeys and to stay informed with the latest forecasts from the Met Office as Storm Ingrid develops.

A FLOOD ALERT has been issued by Natural Resources Wales for the Pembrokeshire coastline, with flooding possible along stretches between St Dogmaels, near Cardigan, and Amroth.

Residents and businesses in coastal areas are being urged to remain vigilant and to prepare for the potential impacts of flooding as conditions develop.

Natural Resources Wales advises people in affected areas to follow any existing flood plans and to ensure they know where family members and pets are, with arrangements in place to move them to safety if required. Important and sentimental items, key documents and valuables should be placed somewhere secure and above potential flood levels.

People are also encouraged to make sure their mobile phones are fully charged, to familiarise themselves with how to turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, and to prepare a small emergency bag in case they need to leave their home. Essential items may include medication, a phone and charger, warm clothing, baby or pet supplies, sanitary items and insurance documents.

Where possible, cars, livestock and equipment should be moved away from areas at risk of flooding.

The public is strongly warned not to walk or drive through floodwater. As little as 30 centimetres (one foot) of moving water can sweep a car away, while 15 centimetres can be enough to knock a person off their feet.

Further information is available via the Natural Resources Wales flood warning service at
https://flood-warning.naturalresources.wales/Detail/102WABT02.
Floodline can also be contacted on 0345 988 1188 using quick dial number 503013.

Up-to-date river, rainfall and sea levels can be checked at https://naturalresources.wales/riverlevels.

Flood alerts and warnings can be managed by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. For the latest updates, Natural Resources Wales can also be followed on social media via @NatResWales.

A CALL for Pembrokeshire County Council to join other west Wales authorities in calling for its pension funds to be divested from companies profiting from genocide is to be heard by full council.

Recently, a call for Ceredigion County Council to stress it does not wish to be involved in companies connected with Israel during the ongoing Gaza crisis through its pension fund was backed by councillors.

A notice of motion before Ceredigion County Council’s October meeting, proposed by Cllr Endaf Edwards, said: “The ongoing and deeply concerning conflict in Gaza has led to significant loss of innocent life and widespread humanitarian suffering.

“Despite a temporary ceasefire in January 2025, hostilities have resumed, and conditions on the ground continue to deteriorate.”

Its calls included: a commitment to ethical governance and global justice; to express it does not wish to be associated with companies potentially complicit in war crimes or human rights violations; to write to the Welsh Pension Partnership, conveying these concerns and requesting a review of current investments; to request that the Dyfed Pension Fund and Welsh Pension Partnership strengthen their ethical investment policies; and to call on the Dyfed Pension Fund Committee and Welsh Pension Partnership to regularly review and publicly report on progress toward divestment from unethical holdings.

Following that, a petition was submitted on Pembrokeshire County Council’s own website, making a similar call.

The Pembrokeshire petition, started by Sarah Davies of Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire, read: “We call upon Pembrokeshire County Council to pass a resolution calling on Dyfed Pension Fund to divest our pension money from companies profiting from genocide.

“As residents of Pembrokeshire, we are deeply concerned that the Dyfed Pension Fund (DPF) invests millions of pension fund money in companies complicit in Israel’s genocide, occupation, and apartheid against Palestinians. In addition, DPF uses the multinational asset management firm BlackRock to manage 40 per cent (£1.4 billion) of its total assets. BlackRock has been cited in a recent UN report as profiting from genocide.

“Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and other Welsh councils have already committed to divestment. We call upon Pembrokeshire County Council to use its influence to urge Dyfed Pension Fund to divest from these companies.”

The recently closed e-Petition attracted 560 signatures.

If a petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting.