Storm Bert has caused a ‘major incident’ across the country as three people lost their lives while councils across Wales assess the damage left behind by the brutal weekend’s weather
A “major incident” has been declared following the brutal winds and weather brought on by Storm Bert.
The UK was hit with 70mph winds as the storm claimed at least three lives across the country. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.
It comes after the body of dog walker Brian Perry, 75, was found after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police confirmed. Between 200 and 300 properties in the area have been affected by flooding while the council confirmed “significant” flooding had taken place, with the “impact looking to be more significant than the severe impact experienced during Storm Dennis.”
Political leaders have since called it an “absolutely devastating” weekend, with Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan saying it had been a “really difficult weekend” for those affected. Baroness Morgan said: “I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm. There’s been huge investments since the last storm hit, so we’ve managed to protect lots more properties than last time.
“But obviously this is absolutely devastating just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted.” A Welsh Government spokesperson said it will be “vital that people continue to take extra care over the coming days and follow official advice”.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also confirmed he spoke to Baroness Morgan about the flooding in Wales and was receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK. A Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council spokesperson says the council has assessed the damage, with the storm bringing on a number of highway closures.
“There are a number of highways closures, with a landslip on the Bwlch Mountain Road at Nantymoel closing this road, and South Wales Police closing bridges in Pontypridd,” they said. “The advice to everyone is only travel if absolutely necessary.”
It comes after the death of a man who was pulled from his car which was in a ford. Emergency services rescued a man and woman, both in their 80s, from the vehicle on Saturday. It was confirmed earlier today that the man had died while the woman remains in hospital with injuries described as non life threatening.
Ireland is also facing a major clean-up operation as 60,000 people were left without power as a result of the storm. Status red rain warnings were in place for Cork and Galway until 10am on Saturday, with an orange alert for rain in place for counties Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
Rebecca Mullen, of The Flour House bakery in Riverstick, Co Cork, was one of many business owners affected by flooding brought on by Storm Bert. She said: “Without those grants we really wouldn’t have a business today, it’s just really important that small businesses survive weather systems.”
A total of 80 weather warnings were flagged yesterday as flood alerts were introduced across the country as Storm Bert closed in. The Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page urged people to keep an eye on weather warnings throughout the evening in case of further problems.
He said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain. While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.”
Weather warnings are expected to expire later tonight. The longest-lasting is the rain warning for southwest England, which is in place until 11.45pm tonight. But the warnings and weather is subject to change as expert Page urges the public to stay alert of high wind speeds and sudden changes.
