(Commonwealth_UK) Flooding in Wales has intensified, with Storm Bert continuing to wreak havoc across various parts of the UK. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council declared a major incident in South Wales as severe flooding took hold, with some areas receiving more than 100mm of rain, in line with forecasts suggesting certain regions could experience a month’s worth of rainfall in just a few days. In Pontypridd, the River Taff burst its banks, causing significant flooding, prompting residents to frantically bail out water from outside their homes and submerge their cars. As a result, the council has set up three rest centers to assist those affected.
Elsewhere in Wales, the storm’s impact has been devastating, with wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph along coastal areas and 65 mph inland. The storm’s heavy rainfall is now moving eastwards, and England is expected to bear the brunt of the weather, particularly in the Midlands and South West, where additional flooding risks are being reported. As of Sunday, more than 100 flood warnings were in effect across the UK, alongside hundreds of flood alerts spanning Wales, England, and Scotland. Floodwater, high winds, and fallen trees have also disrupted many roads, railway lines, and airports.
The heavy rains impacted up to 10 houses in Coalisland and left residents stranded in their homes in Dundonald, Northern Ireland. In Denbighshire, North Wales, the rainfall triggered a landslide that resulted in significant flooding and debris, necessitating the rescue of five adults and five children from a house.
As the storm slowly moves eastward, areas like Yorkshire and the Midlands, along with parts of east and southeast England, will continue to experience heavy rainfall for much of Sunday afternoon. However, we expect conditions to improve behind the storm front, with brief periods of sunshine and blustery showers expected in some regions. Despite the adverse weather, temperatures remain mild, with highs ranging from 9-15°C in most areas. South-east England could see temperatures peak at 17-18°C, providing a stark contrast to the cold snap that had gripped the UK in the preceding week, which saw several regions experiencing snowfall and temperatures dropping below freezing.
Storm Bert has already claimed at least three lives. On Saturday, a man in his 60s was killed when a tree fell on his car near Winchester, while two others died in separate crashes in West Yorkshire and Northamptonshire. While not all these incidents directly link to the storm, they underscore the perilous conditions on the roads. On Sunday morning, the West Midlands Fire Service reported rescuing a person from a stranded car in floodwater in Walsall.
In Scotland, a second day of disruption is underway, with high winds and localized flooding continuing to affect parts of the country. The storm has caused considerable damage as it swept snow and heavy rain across Scotland and northern England, exacerbating the flooding. The mild temperatures are melting the snow that covered the north earlier in the week, adding to the already significant flood risks.
On Saturday, authorities issued amber weather warnings for snow in certain areas of Scotland and northeast England, exacerbating the situation. Meanwhile, large parts of the UK remain under yellow weather warnings as the storm continues to impact daily life across the nation. Due to the high winds on Sunday, the Royal Parks in London, including Hyde Park and its popular Winter Wonderland, remained closed for safety inspections before reopening on Monday. More than 24,000 properties across the UK reported losing power as of Sunday afternoon, highlighting the widespread impact of Storm Bert.
