THE mayor of St Asaph said residents and authorities were “more prepared” for Storm Dennis after homes were flooded the previous weekend.

Cllr Peter Scott said there was “apprehension” in the city after Storm Ciara caused the River Elwy to burst its banks and 53 residents to be evacuated from their homes.

More heavy rainfall was forecasted ahead of Storm Dennis and Denbighshire County Council (DCC) cleared gullies and placed sandbags around the River Elwy culvert.

About 1,000 sandbags were also donated by Denbigh civil engineering firm Triact to help residents and businesses secure their properties.

“There was still a lot of water in the River Elwy but it was a metre down from the previous weekend,” said Cllr Scott.

“There was a feeling of apprehension, particularly among the older residents, that Storm Dennis could cause flooding again.”

Surface water gathered in the Lower Denbigh Road area, while a manhole cover burst on Mill Street, where sandbags were used to stop the water from spreading.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent crews to pump water from the street back into the River Elwy.

“Nobody had to be evacuated and I think we were more prepared than Storm Ciara because we know where the problem areas are,” Cllr Scott said. “The community pulled together and got the job done.”

The mayor said there needs to be an investigation into sections of the river defences where the river overflowed during Storm Ciara, which will be carried out by Natural Resources Wales.

“Hopefully now there will be a permanent job to correct them,” he added.