A major incident was declared in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area of south Wales on Sunday 24 November 2024, after Storm Bert brought widespread flooding to what the Independent describes as one of the worst-hit areas1. Hundreds of homes, businesses and a number of schools have been affected in the area, and rest centres were set up for residents at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre1.
The storm brought nearly a month's worth of rain in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph, and more than 80 per cent of November's average monthly rain fell in under 48 hours in some areas1. Since the storm began in the early hours of Saturday, 149mm of rain fell at Tyn-Y-Waun in Mid Glamorgan, against an average of 180mm for the whole of November, according to Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst1. In England, 135.7mm was recorded at White Barrow in Devon from the start of the storm until 11am on Sunday, around half the total rainfall typical in November1. Nearly 400 areas in the UK were placed at risk of flooding on Sunday, and on Sunday afternoon the Environment Agency had 98 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 201 flood alerts, where flooding is possible1.
Three men died on the roads during Storm Bert on Saturday, including a man in his sixties killed after a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester; a 34-year-old man died in a single-vehicle collision in Shipley, West Yorkshire, and a man in his forties died in a crash on the A45 near Flore, Northamptonshire, and it is unclear whether the incidents were related to the storm1. North Wales Police said a body had been found in the area of Gower Road, Trefriw, near the Afon Conwy river, where 75-year-old Brian Perry went missing on Saturday while walking his dog; the body had not been formally identified but his family had been informed1. Five children and five adults were rescued from a home hit by a landslide in north Wales on Saturday, and the Abercynon Feeder Pipe Footbridge over the River Taff, under reconstruction after damage in Storm Dennis in 2020, was completely washed away1.
The Met Office issued six weather alerts for rain and wind on Sunday, with five remaining in place in the afternoon, and a fourth wind warning covering central and eastern parts of England until 9pm, with gusts of up to 70mph forecast for exposed areas1. Severe flooding blocked railway lines between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on Sunday morning, though all lines later reopened, and Greater Anglia cancelled 52 services on Sunday afternoon after fallen trees damaged overhead electric wires1. Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland and all of London's Royal Parks were closed on Sunday1.
"Significant river and surface water flooding is possible in parts of England on Sunday, especially in the South West, the West Midlands, and the Calder Valley in the North of England due to heavy rain and recent snowmelt."
The same statement said minor impacts were possible more widely across England and might continue in places until Tuesday, and that Environment Agency teams were out on the ground taking action to reduce the impact of flooding and would support local authorities1. People were being told to stay away from swollen rivers and urged not to drive through flood water1. West Midlands Fire Service said its crews rescued a person trapped in a car stranded in floodwater in Walsall on Sunday morning1. Rhondda Valley council leader Andrew Morgan warned: "Clearly lives are at risk."1
Why it matters for households
The major incident declaration covers Rhondda Cynon Taf, where flooding has affected hundreds of homes, businesses and schools and rest centres are open for those impacted1. Across England, the Environment Agency said significant river and surface water flooding was possible on Sunday, especially in the South West, the West Midlands and the Calder Valley, with minor impacts possible more widely and possibly continuing in places until Tuesday1. Flood warnings and alerts remained in force on Sunday afternoon, and wind warnings remained in place with gusts of up to 70mph forecast for exposed areas1. The Environment Agency's advice, as reported, is to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through flood water1. The Met Office's rain and wind alerts and the Environment Agency's warnings are the official signals of where flooding is expected or possible; the guide to flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings explains the difference between them, and what it means when a major incident is declared sets out how agencies coordinate the response. Households in Wales can follow Natural Resources Wales warnings and risk maps, and general household preparation for flooding is covered in the flooding guide.
What happens next
The Environment Agency said minor impacts were possible more widely across England and might continue in places until Tuesday1. No further dated steps have been reported.
Major Incident Declared
Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings
