The Met Office issued a fourth wind warning for the UK on Sunday morning, covering central and eastern parts of England until 9pm, according to The Independent1. The warning came as Storm Bert, the second named storm of the season, brought nearly a month's worth of rain in less than 48 hours and winds of up to 82mph1.
On Sunday afternoon, the Environment Agency had 98 flood warnings in place, where flooding is expected, and 201 flood alerts, where flooding is possible1. Nearly 400 areas in the UK were placed at risk of flooding on Sunday, with more than 80 per cent of November's average monthly rain falling in less than 48 hours in some areas1. The Met Office issued six weather alerts for rain and wind on Sunday, with five remaining in place in the afternoon1.
Since the storm began in the early hours of Saturday, 149mm of rain fell in Tyn-Y-Waun in Mid Glamorgan, Wales, against an average of 180mm for the whole of November, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said1. 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.
A major incident was declared in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area of south Wales, one of the worst-hit areas, where hundreds of homes, businesses and a number of schools were affected by flooding1. Rest centres were set up at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre1. An entire bridge under construction, the Abercynon Feeder Pipe Footbridge over the River Taff, was washed away during floods in south Wales on Saturday night; it was being rebuilt after being substantially damaged during Storm Dennis in 20201.
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, Northamptonshire1. It is unclear whether the incidents were related to Storm Bert1. 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 has not been formally identified but his family has been informed1. Five children and five adults were rescued from a home hit by a landslide in north Wales on Saturday, rescue services said1.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said:
"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 spokesperson added that 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 flooding1.
| Area | Warning or impact reported |
|---|---|
| Central and eastern England | Fourth wind warning until 9pm Sunday1 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf, south Wales | Major incident declared; hundreds of homes and businesses flooded1 |
| South West, West Midlands, Calder Valley | Significant river and surface water flooding possible1 |
| Wider England | Minor impacts possible, may continue until Tuesday1 |
| Exposed areas | Gusts of up to 70mph forecast1 |
Why it matters for households
Flood warnings and alerts remained in place across England on Sunday afternoon, and the Environment Agency said minor impacts could continue in places until Tuesday1. People are 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.
Travel was affected: severe flooding blocked railway lines between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on Sunday morning, though all lines have since 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, including Greenwich Park and Primrose Hill, were closed on Sunday1. The Met Office's warning levels and what they mean are set out in its yellow, amber and red warnings explained; households preparing for high winds can refer to guidance on preparing your home and garden for high winds and on driving safely in strong winds. The Met Office also operates a weather alert sign-up service, and current warnings are listed in the storms and snow section.
What happens next
The fourth wind warning covers central and eastern England until 9pm on Sunday, and wind warnings remained in place with gusts of up to 70mph forecast for exposed areas1. The Environment Agency said minor flooding impacts may continue in places until Tuesday1.
Met Office Weather Warnings
Preparing for High Winds
Driving in Strong Winds
