A public meeting as part of wider efforts to prepare communities for possible flooding has taken place in Torfaen.
The meeting at Ponthir Village Hall was organised by the newly formed Ponthir Prepared Community Resilience Group.
It came as Torfaen County Borough Council launches its annual autumn maintenance programme, which includes checking and clearing high-risk culverts and gullies to reduce the risk of flooding.
Councillor Mandy Owen, the council's executive member for the environment, said: "One in 15 properties in the borough is at risk of flooding – primarily due to flash floods caused by heavy rain or river flooding.
"Our teams and partners play an important role in reducing the impact of flooding by ensuring our drainage infrastructure is working effectively.
"But local communities and homeowners can also help by taking steps to reduce the risk and impact of flooding.
"By working together, we can help strengthen resilience across our communities and be better prepared for the months ahead."
The council’s Highways Maintenance team will use specialist gully cleansing vehicles and road sweepers to remove leaves and debris that could block drainage systems.
Officers will also monitor flood risk hot spots, inspect watercourses, and work with partners such as Natural Resources Wales and Welsh Water.
Residents who have experienced flooding or are at risk are encouraged to take precautionary measures, including checking that guttering and drains are clear, ensuring house insurance is up to date, reporting blocked drains or gullies nearby, and considering the purchase of sandbags or flood gates.
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