Major incident declared in part of south Wales due to Storm Bert

The Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan said it has been ‘a really difficult weekend’ and it is ‘absolutely devastating’ for those affected by flooding after Storm Bert hit.

Speaking to broadcasters, Baroness Morgan said: ‘It’s been a really difficult weekend, and I’d like to thank the emergency services for all the support they’re giving to the people affected.

‘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.’

Asked if there will be emergency funding available to help people, she said discussions have already started, adding ‘and of course, we will do everything we need to do to put measures in place to support people who’ve undergone this really, really difficult situation’.

She added that they have put ‘hundreds of millions of pounds’ into flood defences over the past few years, which is helping to protect about 250,000 homes, but ‘clearly, climate change is going to impact on us, and there will come a point when it will be too difficult for us to protect every home in the country but clearly, we want to put the support in place if we’re able to do that for the people impacted’.

Prime minister Keir Starmer says his thoughts are with the victims of Storm Bert, and that he is liasing with Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan about the severe flooding in the country.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the PM said: ‘Thank you to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to protect communities — my thoughts are with those impacted. I’m receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK.’

The Welsh government has urged people to take extra care after an ‘exceptionally difficult’ weekend has seen huge swathes of the country overrun by flooding from Storm Bert.

A government spokesperson said: ‘It has been an exceptionally difficult and disruptive weekend across many parts of Wales which have been impacted by Storm Bert.

‘All our thoughts are with those who have suffered flooding to their homes and businesses. The trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated.

‘Our emergency services and local authorities have worked tirelessly to support those affected, working in extremely difficult circumstances, and we thank them all for their ongoing efforts.’

The statement said it was vital that people to follow official advice and take extra care over the coming days. 

They added: ‘Despite the significant impacts, it appears that flood defences played a role in protecting many homes and businesses, and we will continue our investment programme to make communities even more resilient to severe weather events in future.’

The A38 Devon Expressway is partially closed due to flooding on the carriageway.

Traffic is forced to use one lane eastbound near Newton Abbot after Storm Bert has wreaked havoc across railways, roads and electricity infrastructure.

Flood warnings remain in place along with yellow warnings for wind and rain which are expected to disrupt travel until tonight.

Elsewhere, the M48 Severn Bridge between Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire was closed in both directions due to strong winds, with motorists told to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

Rail lines have also been affected, with the Conwy Valley line, which runs from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Heart of Wales lines – Swansea to Shropshire – set to be closed for the rest of Sunday.

Footage has emerged appearing to show a tractor going through the floodwater thought to be in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire.

A video was posted online appearing to show a tractor driver going through the deluge which created waves smashing up against the shop fronts.

One commentator claimed on X that locals are ‘understandably livid’ after seeing the footage of the waves sloshing against the buildings.

Some users said the tractor driver might have been in a hurry on their way to help a stranded motorist elsewhere.

Metro approached the police for a comment.

The Royal Parks were shut today due to strong winds, including at Hyde Park.

The Winter Wonderland closed inside Hyde Park today due to the ‘inclement weather conditions.’

The family attraction said it hopes to reopen tomorrow.

It said in a statement: ‘All affected ticket holder have been contacted directly and will have the opportunity to reschedule or refund their tickets.’

Great Western Railway has told passengers not to attempt to travel between London, Devon and Cornwall.

Several trains have been suspended after flooding and fallen trees have blocked lines.

Trains are unable to run on major routes and customers ‘should not attempt to travel’ on them.

• Between Newbury and Plymouth – No trains between London, Devon and Cornwall
• Between south Wales, Bristol Parkway and London Paddington
• Between Exeter and Okehampton and Exeter and Barnstaple
• Sleeper services in both directions between London and Penzance will not run

The disruption is expected at least until the end of the day, but this could be revised later.

Customers have the option to use their tickets to travel tomorrow or Tuesday, including on peak-time services, or claim a refund, GWR said.

A body has been discovered in search for Brian Perry, 75, who went missing in the River Conwy yesterday while walking his dog.

Departure flights have been axed at Heathrow Airport today.

British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Austrian Airlines, Aer Lingus, TAP Air Portugal, Virgin, Finnair and United Airlines have axed flights to European and US destinations today, according to Flightradar24.

It comes as the Met Office issued a warning for strong winds and gusts in the area.

Thousands of homes have been left without electricity after power cuts across the UK due to fatal Storm Bert.

It comes after 4,000 households were affected by power outages yesterday.

In Suffolk alone – where a wind warning is in place until 9pm – around 500 homes are without electricity after strong gusts.

National Grid said that the South West has been ‘particularly badly affected, bearing the brunt of the bad weather this morning.’

‘Strong winds and gusts of around 60mph have caused tree falls and damage to power lines. Heavy rain has also brought flooding causing access issues,’ it said.

Roisin Quinn, a field operations director, said that while engineering teams are restoring supplies ‘overhead power lines may continue to be brought down.’

Several roads remain closed across Wales, with most of the road closures located in south Wales.

The A4223 Bridge Street is closed in Pontypridd where residents are battling rising floodwater on their doorstep.

Further north, the A479 is closed both ways from Tretower to Crickhowell, while the A458 is shut both ways from Cyfronydd to B4389 outside Welshpool.

Traffic speed has been reduced to 20mph on the M4 near Swansea after strong winds between J41 (Baglan / Pentyla) to J42 A483.

The search for a missing dog walker who has gone missing in the Afon Conwy river near Trefriw yesterday.

The Coastguard helicopter, emergency services, specialist underwater search teams and the fire and rescue service have been scouring the area after he went missing at about 4.30pm yesterday.

The man, in his 70s, had been walking with his wife and dog near Gower Road which is affected by ‘significant floodwater following Storm Bert,’ North Wales Police said.

Chief Inspector Simon Kneale of North Wales Police, said: ‘This is a particularly difficult time for this gentleman’s family. Extensive searches are continuing this morning as part of a multi-agency response and officers are supporting his family.

‘I would like to thank everyone who has assisted in carrying out extensive water based searches in extremely difficult weather and water conditions.

‘Floodwater poses significant risks, often hiding dangers and being deeper than it appears. I would urge members of the public to always avoid walking or driving through floodwater—it’s never worth the risk.

‘If you have information, please contact us on 101 immediately.’

The Coastguard told Metro its helicopter was involved in the search at Llanrwst shortly after 6pm.

It said: ‘The Coastguard helicopter from Caernarfon was sent alongside Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team. The helicopter concluded the search and was stood down last night.’

Other emergency services are continuing the search.

The Met Office has warned of strong winds which could cause disruption across central and eastern parts of England until 9pm.

Exposed areas face wind gusts of 55mph while south facing coastal regions could be barreled by winds of up to 65mph, the forecaster said.

Here are the areas where the latest wind warning has been issued.

East Midlands

• Leicester
• Leicestershire
• Lincolnshire
• Northamptonshire
• Rutland

East of England

• Bedford
• Cambridgeshire
• Central Bedfordshire
• Essex
• Hertfordshire
• Luton
• Norfolk
• Peterborough
• Southend-on-Sea
• Suffolk
• Thurrock

London and South East England

• Bracknell Forest
• Buckinghamshire
• East Sussex
• Greater London
• Hampshire
• Kent
• Medway
• Milton Keynes
• Oxfordshire
• Reading
• Slough
• Surrey
• West Berkshire
• West Sussex
• Windsor and Maidenhead
• Wokingham

South West England

• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bristol
• Gloucestershire
• North Somerset
• South Gloucestershire
• Swindon
• Wiltshire

West Midlands

• Warwickshire
• West Midlands Conurbation
• Worcestershire

A driver has had a narrow escape after a mountainside collapsed in a landslide in Cymmer, Rhondda Valley, south Wales.

Firefighters responded after a landslide blocked part of the A4106, with one car caught in the falling rock and mud.

The road will remain closed until further notice, the fire service said.

The nearby B4434 Neath Road is also closed in both ways from Clyne Court to Heol Herbert due to a fallen tree.

A major incident has been declared in parts of south Wales after rivers flooded following heavy rain brought by Storm Bert.

Footage shows residents in Pontypridd trying to protect their homes from the flood water which has overtaken roads in the town.

Welsh Water has told people living at the top end of Rhondda Fawr to boil their drinking water.

Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said on social media the flooding is ‘intense,’ adding that ‘I have never known it so bad.’

He told Sky News: ‘I am deeply saddened to witness the devastation caused by last night’s storm and the severe flooding across our communities.

‘The flooding across areas in the Rhondda and Ogmore is unprecedented. I have never seen it on this scale before.

‘My team and I are working tirelessly to support those impacted, and I want to assure everyone that the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council and Dwr Cymru teams are doing everything in their power to respond to this crisis.’

Have you been affected by Storm Bert? Please email [email protected].

The rail network is feeling the brunt of Storm Bert, with fallen trees and debris blocking routes up and down the UK.

A Southeastern train has struck a tree at Leigh.

The train company said: ‘Unfortunately damage has been caused to the train and it is unable to move until staff have attended and inspected.’

A father and his baby had a narrow escape after flash flooding in Todmorden, Calderdale.

The frightening incident happened after flooding submerged a road in the West Yorkshire market town along with the family car.

Paige Newsome said her partner Andre had to ‘to pull himself and our 11-month-old baby out of the car windows, whilst the water was flooding into the car.’

The mum praised Andre for his quick reaction during the ‘scary experience,’ but she called for the council to sort out the alleged flooding hotspots ‘asap.’

She claimed Calderdale Council have been ‘getting notified about this part of Woodhouse Road multiple times by the owners of the house next to where our car is parked.’

Paige added: ‘I cannot thank those owners enough for taking Andre and Luca into their home and helping them.’

Metro approached Calderdale Council for a comment.

Other roads in Todmorden are flooded as water levels rise on local rivers, including River Calder.

• Woodhouse Road remains closed
• Rochdale Road at Bell Holme, Walsden, is open but it is flooded and is covered in debris

The Royal Parks said all of its London parks will be closed today due to ‘severe wind gusts caused by Storm Bert.’

This includes all cafes, kiosks, park roads and cycleway, including at Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Regent’s Park.

The Changing of the Guard is also cancelled today.

Here is a full list of the closed parks.

• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• St James’s Park
• The Green Park
• Greenwich Park
• The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
• Richmond Park
• Bushy Park
• Brompton Cemetery

Storm Bert has landed with a bang as the UK braces itself for winds of up to 70mph during the second day of rough weather.

See below how the storm is forming over the Atlantic Ocean.

Dozens of areas are expected to be hit by flooding after the combination of heavy rain and thawing snow.

The Environment Agency has issued 60 red flood warnings which means flooding is expected in these areas – the highest category – while flooding is possible at 174 other locations.

Here is a full list of locations with red flood alerts.

• Brimfield Brook at Orleton and Brimfield
• Doniford Stream in the Sampford Mill Farm area
• Ginge Brook between Steventon and Sutton Courtenay, including Milton and Drayton Mill areas
• Illey Brook at Halesowen
• Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater
• Middle Stour from Hammoon to Sturminster Marshall
• Midgelden Brook at Bacup Road – Gauxholme
• Pearl Brook at Horwich, area close to the river from Bridge Street and Old Station Park to the M61
• River Arrow at Kington
• River Axe (Lower) from Axminster to Axmouth
• River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
• River Bovey at Bovey Tracey and Heathfield
• River Brit at Newtown, and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
• River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties
• River Calder at Brearley and Luddenden Foot
• River Calder at Callis Bridge and Charlestown
• River Calder at Central Todmorden
• River Calder at Eastwood
• River Calder at Hebden Bridge – Mytholm and Hebble End
• River Calder at Horbury – The Strands
• River Calder at Todmorden from the Cricket Ground to the Railway Bridge
• River Calder at Todmorden – Harley Wood
• River Calder at Todmorden – Patmos Burnley Road
• River Calder from Todmorden to Eastwood
• River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary
• River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, including Staverton
• River Darwen at Ewood and Waterfall in Blackburn
• River Dene at Walton
• River Isle at Ashford Mill and Ilford Bridges
• River Isle at Ilminster
• River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster
• River Lew at Gribbleford Bridge and Hatherleigh
• River Lyd from Sydenham to Lifton
• River Okement at Brightley, Jacobstowe and Monkokehampton
• River Parrett (upper) from South Perrott to Thorney
• River Ribble at Samlesbury, around Brockholes Reserve and Lower Brockholes Quarry
• River Ribble at Walton-le-Dale, area from Fishwick Bottoms to Railway Bridge
• Rivers in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle
• Rivers Stour and Iwerne at Stourpaine
• River Stour at Mitford Bridge, Shipston on Stour and Tredington
• River Tamar from Greystone Bridge to Cotehele excluding Calstock
• River Taw (Middle) from Taw Bridge to Newnham Bridge
• River Teign (Lower) from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton
• River Teign (Upper) from Clifford Bridge to Chudleigh
• River Teme at Stanford Bridge
• River Torridge (Lower) from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard
• River Ure at Boroughbridge Camping and Caravanning Site
• River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook
• River Vyrnwy at Melverley
• River Weaver at Shrewbridge Lodge
• River Wye from Hay to Hereford
• River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster
• River Yeo at Mudford
• River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil
• Skirden Beck and Kirk Beck at Bolton by Bowland
• Upper Frome at Maiden Newton
• Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester
• Walsden Water at Todmorden from Shade to Salford
• Walsden Water at Walsden
• Water Eaton Brook at Water Eaton