Storm Bert, sweeping the UK recently, has brought catastrophic flooding, damaging winds, and widespread disruption. Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan described the situation as “absolutely devastating” as authorities work tirelessly to manage the impact. South Wales, where a major incident has been declared, has been a brutal hit, with some areas seeing more than 100mm of rain. Severe flood warnings remain as the storm moves eastward, affecting England.
What Are the Risks of the Severe Flood Warnings in the South East?
Two areas in the country’s southeast are under severe flood warnings, indicating a “significant risk to life.” These warnings are the most serious that can be issued, underscoring the extreme danger posed by the storm’s continuing effects. Ms Morgan stated, “We certainly knew Storm Bert was coming, so there was an amount of preparation. But when you get the kind of enormity of rain we’ve had over the past few days – and it’s still coming down – then we’ve got to recognize that it is going to be difficult.”
The intense rain has already caused widespread flooding, particularly in South Wales, with the River Taff bursting its banks in Pontypridd. A major incident has been declared in the town of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Residents in Pontypridd were seen using buckets to remove water from their homes as the floodwaters reached unprecedented levels.
How Have Rivers Burst Their Banks and Submerged Towns?
Images from Tenbury Wells in Worcestershire show streets wholly submerged in water as the Kyre Brook rose to dangerous levels, causing walls to collapse. “There will come a point when it will be too difficult to protect every home in the country,” Ms. Morgan warned, referring to the increased frequency and severity of such weather events. “Climate change is making a difference,” she added as residents began facing the brunt of the storm’s destruction.
In Pontypridd, resident Paula Williams expressed frustration with the flood defences in place. “They’ve tried to convince everybody that the flood defences worked. I have got videos proving the flood defences don’t work,” she said, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction in the community with the effectiveness of current measures.
What Are the Flood Alerts and Travel Disruptions Across the UK?
As the storm moved east, England’s midlands and southwest also experienced severe flooding. The UK government issued over 100 flood warnings, with hundreds of alerts across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Travel disruptions were widespread, with some areas experiencing significant delays. For instance, a train service from Sheffield to London was delayed by more than five hours due to flooding along the route. Passengers, including many families, were left frustrated as they waited in a stationary train for two hours without adequate information. Some families with young children were seen crying, adding to the growing tension.
How Are Authorities Responding to the Challenge of the Storm?
Despite the preparedness efforts, authorities have struggled to mitigate the full impact of the storm. “There was an amount of preparation, but when you get the kind of enormity of rain we’ve had over the past few days – and it’s still coming down – it is going to be difficult to minimise the impact,” said Ms Morgan. The storm’s relentless rainfall has caused rivers to overflow, resulting in massive flooding in urban and rural areas.
In South Wales, three rest centres have been set up to support affected residents. Between 200 and 300 residential and commercial properties have been flooded, with many more at risk as the storm progresses. Officials reported that record river levels were recorded on the River Taff on Saturday night, but these levels were beginning to drop as rain subsided.
What Fatalities and Risks of Further Danger Have Been Reported?
The storm’s toll on life has been severe. In addition to the fatality in Conwy County, where the body of Brian Perry, 75, was found after he went missing during the storm, several other fatalities have occurred across the country. A man in his 60s died after a tree fell onto his car near Winchester, and two others perished in separate crashes in West Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.
A man in his 80s died in Lancashire when his car entered a flooded Ford. Police have not directly linked his death to the storm but noted that conditions were hazardous.
How Are Emergency Services and Local Authorities Responding to the Crisis?
Throughout the UK, emergency services have worked around the clock to help residents affected by the storm. Ms Morgan thanked the emergency services for their tireless efforts. At the same time, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added, “Thank you to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to protect communities – my thoughts are with those impacted.”
Authorities continue to provide updates on flood risks, urging residents to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions. National Resources Wales (NRW) issued two severe flood warnings on Sunday covering parts of the River Monnow in Monmouthshire. The warnings indicate that life-threatening flooding is expected in the coming hours.
How Have High Winds and Snow Complicated the Storm's Aftermath?
While the heaviest rainfall has moved east, strong winds continue to affect large parts of the UK. Wind gusts reached up to 75 mph in coastal areas, with up to 65 mph inland. These gusts caused extensive disruption to travel, including the closure of London’s Royal Parks on Sunday, which included Hyde Park and the Winter Wonderland attraction. A safety inspection is expected to delay their reopening on Monday.
Meanwhile, in Scotland and north east England, amber weather warnings for snow were in place. The sudden thawing of earlier snowfalls and heavy rain has led to further flooding.
In Northern Ireland, residents in Dundonald were stranded in their homes due to floodwaters, further highlighting the widespread impact of Storm Bert across the UK.
What Can Be Done to Prepare for Future Storms?
The devastation brought by Storm Bert has raised questions about how to better protect vulnerable areas from the increasingly severe weather events that climate change is making more frequent. Ms Morgan acknowledged that many communities were again affected despite significant investment in flood defences since Storm Dennis. She emphasised that while flood defences are improving, there is a limit to how much can be done to protect every home. “There will come a point when it will be too difficult to protect every home in the country, but clearly, we want to put the support in place if we’re able to do that,” she concluded.
As the storm moves eastward, authorities continue to monitor the situation, preparing for more severe weather in the coming days. The recovery process is expected to be lengthy, with emergency services, local governments, and communities all playing crucial roles in the ongoing response to the devastating impacts of Storm Bert.
