A LOCAL authority says it is ready to step in to prevent flooding after heavy rainfall overnight.

Wrexham Council has received a number of reports of localised flooding in the county borough on Tuesday after the Met Office warned of up to 60mm of rain in some parts of the UK.

Sandbags have been issued to homeowners on Erddig Road on the outskirts of the town after a large amount of water gathered near their properties.

Meanwhile, one of the main gateways into Wrexham on Mold Road was also affected, and a yellow weather warning remains in place for most of this week.

Cllr Alun Jenkins, who represents the area where sandbags have been handed out, described the situation as ‘a disaster waiting to happen’, but praised council workers for their efforts to help residents.

Speaking at a meeting of the authority’s executive board this morning, he said: “I was there just after 9.30am and I was there for about quarter of an hour and during that time the level of water raised by a couple of inches.

“The sandbags which were holding it back from the houses were at the point of giving way.

“I took time out to send an e-mail desperately to the environment department to ask them to go out very quickly to pump away as much of the water as they can and to provide more sandbags.

“There’s a disaster waiting to happen there and I’m really concerned about that.”

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment, said the council was aware of the problem and staff were on site to stop rain water from flooding the properties.

He said: “Officers are aware of the problem down in Erddig Road and they will communicate with you directly as local member.

“There isn’t any flooding internally to the properties as yet and the officers are closely monitoring the situation.”

The authority’s chief executive Ian Bancroft also revealed that emergency measures had been put in place as a result of the heavy downfall.

He said: “I think that the quotes from some parts of the country are that we’ve had more rain in the last 24 hours than the whole of June.

“I’ve asked for emergency planning representatives to make sure they keep a review on the overall situation across the borough.

“I’ve also asked for an update to all members and chief officers at the end of each day over the next three days.”

Spells of heavy rain are expected on Wednesday and into Thursday.

Around 20 to 40mm of rain could fall widely, according to the Met Office, with 50 to 80mm possible over high ground.

Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We have been able to indicate the likelihood of further spells of heavy rainfall for the rest of the week, but the exact details will remain uncertain until nearer the events.

“Severe weather warnings are in place and there is still the possiblity of surface water flooding and disruption.

“We will update warnings accordingly, but we urge people to continue to check the forecast and the app for updates during this period.”