LONDON — Storm Bert unleashed havoc across Britain over the weekend, with powerful winds and relentless rainfall bringing widespread flooding, particularly in Wales where communities experienced significant disruptions, authorities reported on Sunday. The storm brought about catastrophic conditions, with roughly 100 flood alerts activated across the U.K.
In the south Wales county of Rhondda Cynon Taf, local officials reported severe impact with 200 to 300 homes and buildings submerged under water. The severity of the situation prompted the designation of the region as a “major incident” zone. The adverse weather conditions also led to a tragic discovery near the river Conwy, where a body was found during search efforts for a 75-year-old man who had been reported missing since Saturday while out walking his dog.
Meanwhile, storm-associated accidents on British roads claimed at least three lives on Saturday. Notably, in Hampshire, a man approximately 60 years old died when a falling branch hit his vehicle during the storm.
The sheer volume of the downpour was highlighted by Welsh Prime Minister Eluned Morgan, who described the flooding in the affected regions as “absolutely devastating.” Remarkably, the area received 80 percent of its typical November rainfall within just 48 hours.
Storm Bert first made its presence felt in the U.K. overnight from Saturday to Sunday, initially hitting both Britain and Ireland. Its arrival disrupted transport networks, with the adverse conditions leading to road closures and train cancellations, while power outages affected thousands of properties.
Even as Bert moved on, about 100 flood warnings remained in place on Sunday across England, Scotland, and Wales. According to the Environment Agency, roughly 80 properties in England suffered from flooding. High alert areas included the South West, West Midlands, and the Calder Valley in Northern England, signaling ongoing risks associated with recent heavy rainfall and snow melt.
While the immediate dangers from Storm Bert were expected to decrease, authorities anticipated that flood risks could persist until at least Tuesday in certain parts of England.
Recording wind gusts hitting as high as 110 kilometers per hour (68 miles per hour), the storm forced the precautionary closure of some parks and tourist attractions in London on Sunday, as city officials and residents braced for the continuing impact.