A report from 2017 acknowledged the potential for flooding in areas of Milford Haven left badly damaged by high waters just a year later.

Hubberston councillor Viv Stoddart told a committee on Tuesday (March 26) that a report obtained by residents hit by flooding “justifies all the concerns that they have had.”

Partnerships overview and scrutiny committee were discussing an update on progress made since an extraordinary meeting in February investigating the terrible flooding in Lower Priory and Havens Head.

The Port of Milford Haven, along with Pembrokeshire County Council, is awaiting the results of an Atkins assessment of Hubberston Pill and Goose Pill.

But a similar report from 2017 backed residents’ feelings that “some of the organisations involved were aware of the potential problems for flooding in both those communities,” Clr. Stoddart said.

She added: “For those communities, this is something that they could never have imagined.

“A car park or your garden flooding does not compare to the experience they had and I think they felt abandoned in those early stages.”

The report refers to flooding in the area likely to occur once every 10 to 15 years and blockages in the system influencing the frequency, particularly in Lower Priory, as well as the impact of levels in the dock on sluicing.

Milford councillor Stephen Joseph has discussed with the Port of Milford Haven of establishing a local liaison group for residents.

The update report added that multi-agency communications with residents will be reviewed and lessons from the recent indent incorporated into the “Operational Coordinating Group Training” package.

Sandbag distribution is under review and a community plan underway, along with investigations into drainage installations at Dale Road and Thornton.

“We are not slowing down, we are not stopping. This is still a priority issue for us and the other organisations involved,” said head of public protection Richard Brown.

A further update will be provided following the publication of the latest Atkins report.