SARA Newport was tasked just after midnight by Gwent Police to assist at a water rescue incident.

Working with colleagues from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, we joined an extensive search operation which led into the early hours before being stood down with nothing found.

Likely a false alarm

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This morning, SARA deployed several flood teams to Monmouth at the request of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.  There was a yellow weather warning in place for rain with Storm Chandra, and concern that the area may again flood badly.  Teams from our SARA stations at Beachley, Newport and Sharpness were made ready at Monmouth Fire Station.  

Thankfully the rainfall in our area was not enough to lead to major flooding.  Whilst the River Monnow rose dramatically (it eventually peaked in Monmouth at about 8pm),  by early afternoon the Fire Service judged that they would not need additional rescources, and our volunteers were stood down.

It was a long slow morning for our crews, but better safe than sorry.  We are very mindful that many homes and businesses in Monmouth have not yet recovered from November's floods.

Many thanks to all who responded.

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We were tasked to search the River Usk this morning following concerns raised for a missing person.

Due to the large search area, SARA Newport's Lifeboat 14 was joined by SARA Lifeboat 3 from Beachley.

Thankfully both lifeboats were stood down once the person was located safe on land.

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SARA Newport lifeboat crew received a call for assistance yesterday following reports of a person entering the River Usk at Newport and in difficulty.

The crew dropped what they were doing and attended station to ready SARA Lifeboat 14 ‘The Maureen Easton’ to launch.

Thankfully, as the crew were leaving station, the fire service successfully rescued the person concerned.

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The SARA Beachley Rope Rescue - and Lifeboat - Teams were called out this afternoon to support Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service in the rescue of a dog from cliffs at Chepstow.  HM Coastguard Chepstow also attended.

Young Bracken had got carried away exploring the bottom of his garden - he then couldn't get back and the owners couldn't reach him.  The two rescue teams worked together to lower a firefighter and then safely retrieve him with the young spaniel.  SARA Lifeboat 3 was also launched and stood by on the river below, as the backup plan, but was then stood down.

Many thanks and well done to all who responded.

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At 1425, we were tasked to search for a missing person in the Rubery area. Team members from SARA Wyre Forest and Tewkesbury attended, along with West Mercia Search & Rescue.

The missing person was located safe and well outside of the search area.

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Boat teams from SARA Wyre Forest and Tewkesbury were deployed to Pershore around 10am, supporting West Mercia Police and West Mercia Search and Rescue with an ongoing search.   SARA Rescue Boats 17 and 26 ‘The Stuart Frost’ were deployed.  

The search was eventually stood down for the day with nothing having been found.  

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