Storm Bram: Welsh communities to face rising home repair costs from flood damage
Storm Bram swept across Wales this week, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread flooding. The storm prompted multiple flood warnings, particularly across Glamorgan, where rivers including the Ely at Peterston Super Ely and catchments in the Vale of Glamorgan rose rapidly, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of local communities to extreme weather.
Treherbert in Glamorgan recorded 83.8mm of rainfall, one of the highest totals nationwide. Strong winds accompanied the rain, with gusts reaching 84mph at Capel Curig and 82mph at Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula.
Thousands of households experienced power cuts, while transport networks were disrupted and as the storm subsides, vital and costly repair work will now start.
For Welsh communities, the financial impact is already significant; however, local homeowners have been warned that repair costs from flood damage will only continue to increase in the coming years.
A new report from Protrade, a leading UK-based provider of power tools and associated products, revealed that flood repair costs for Welsh homeowners are estimated to reach £17,750 per household by 2040.
Wall and floor damage costs alone could reach £7,000 by 2040 for households due to flooding and wet weather
Damage Type & Estimated Cost by 2040 (£)
1. Wall and floor damage = £7,000
2. Furniture and appliances damage = £5,000
3. Drying and cleanup = £2,500
4. Damp or water ingress = £2,250
5. Gutter and drainage fixes = £1,000
Storm Bram follows a pattern of increasingly severe weather events, with climate change making such storms more frequent. Warmer, wetter winters and rising river levels are heightening flood risk.
Flood damage requires costly repairs and emergency response, and is expected to drive up a wide range of property repair costs by 2040, with wall and floor flood damage topping the list at an average of £7,000 per property.
It will also result in more furniture and appliance losses, averaging £5,000 in repairs, particularly in ground-floor properties where water ingress can destroy electronics, soft furnishings, and white goods.
Other repairs that will see an increased demand include drying and clean-up jobs (£2,500), persistent damp and water ingress (£2,250), especially in older or poorly sealed homes, and gutter and drainage fixes (£1,000).
On the impact of flooding on UK homes, Des Duddy, Joint Managing Director at Protrade, comments:
“This increased risk of flooding means tradespeople can expect a surge in repair work involving flooring, plastering, insulation, and structural finishes. However, it’s important to note that these findings also underscore the importance of creating flood-resistant building designs to help minimise these costly, time-consuming repairs in the long run.”
Storm Bram serves as a stark reminder that extreme weather is no longer occasional. Building resilience through improved infrastructure, community preparedness, and proactive planning will be essential to manage both the immediate disruption and long-term financial and environmental impacts of future floods in Wales.
For further information on how climate change is predicted to impact home repair costs, explore the full report.
