Storm Bert affected Gloucestershire in autumn 2024, according to the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC), which names it alongside Storm Henk as part of the county's recent experience of dangerous weather. The reference appears in a GRCC article marking Flood Action Week 2025, which runs from the 13th to the 19th October1.
The article, written by GRCC Community Resilience Officer Lucy Eccles, says: "From Storm Henk in January 2024 to Storm Bert in Autumn 2024, Gloucestershire is no stranger to dangerous weather"1. No further detail on Storm Bert's effects in the county, such as flooded properties, casualties or damage, is given in the article, and no figures for the storm have been reported there.
The article gives figures for flood warnings issued the previous winter. It states that the Environment Agency issued more than 3000 flood alerts, 1600 flood warnings and three severe flood warnings to people at risk1. It also says the Met Office has warned of a wetter than average autumn this year1.
"The cost of flooding to a home can be tens of thousands of pounds."
The article adds that flooding can disrupt lives, affect mental and physical health, incur financial costs to businesses, lead to agricultural losses and isolate rural communities1.
Why it matters for households
The GRCC article sets out steps it says households can take, framed around Flood Action Week, which it describes as an annual campaign organised by the Environment Agency to ensure everyone understands their flood risk and knows what to do in a flood1. Its listed steps include signing up for Flood Warnings, reading guidance on protecting property from flood damage (with ideas ranging from installing high shelves to having a flood resistant door), knowing how to turn off gas, electricity and water, and making a personal flood kit ready in case of evacuation1. It describes knowing how to turn off gas, electricity and water as "essential if you have to leave your home during a flood"1. It also points to insurance advice from the National Flood Forum and suggests contacting a local town or parish council to find out what community emergency plans are in place1.
GRCC says it runs Flood Warden schemes in Tewkesbury Borough, Stroud District and Cotswold District, and assists in Cheltenham Borough, with contact details given for those interested1. General preparation for storms and snow is covered in the guide to storms and snow.
What happens next
Flood Action Week 2025 runs from the 13th to the 19th October1. GRCC invites enquiries about flood preparedness and community emergency planning by email at cdt@grcc.org.uk or by telephone on 01452 5284911.
Sources (1)
- News Detail | GRCC, grcc.org.uk
