Three men died on the roads during Storm Bert on Saturday, including a man in his sixties who was killed after a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester1. 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.
The storm brought nearly a month's worth of rain in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph1. Since it 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, while 135.7mm was recorded at White Barrow in Devon up to 11am on Sunday, around half the total typical for November1. More than 80 per cent of November's average monthly rain fell in less than 48 hours in some areas, and nearly 400 areas of the UK were placed at risk of flooding on Sunday1. On Sunday afternoon the Environment Agency had 98 flood warnings, where flooding is expected, and 201 flood alerts, where flooding is possible1.
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 affected1. Rest centres were set up at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobell Leisure Centre and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Centre1. On Saturday night the Abercynon Feeder Pipe Footbridge over the River Taff, under construction after being substantially damaged in Storm Dennis in 2020, was completely washed away, according to council leader Andrew Morgan1. Five children and five adults were rescued from a home hit by a landslide in north Wales on Saturday1.
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 and his family had been informed1.
"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 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 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 were closed on Sunday1.
| Area | Reported effect |
|---|---|
| Rhondda Cynon Taf, south Wales | Major incident declared; hundreds of homes, businesses and schools affected; rest centres opened1 |
| Tyn-Y-Waun, Mid Glamorgan | 149mm of rain since Saturday, against 180mm average for November1 |
| White Barrow, Devon | 135.7mm of rain to 11am Sunday, around half the November total1 |
| A34 near Winchester | Man in his sixties killed by fallen tree1 |
| Shipley, West Yorkshire | 34-year-old man died in single-vehicle collision1 |
| A45 near Flore, Northamptonshire | Man in his forties died in crash1 |
Why it matters for households
The Environment Agency said minor impacts were possible more widely across England and might continue in places until Tuesday1. People were being told to stay away from swollen rivers and urged not to drive through flood water1. West Midlands Fire Service rescued a person trapped in a car stranded in floodwater in Walsall on Sunday morning1. Households in the South West, the West Midlands and the Calder Valley faced the greatest risk of significant river and surface water flooding, with heavy rain and recent snowmelt given as the cause1. The storms and snow hub sets out how households can prepare for wind and flood disruption.
What happens next
Five weather warnings remained in place on Sunday afternoon, with wind warnings continuing and gusts of up to 70mph forecast for exposed areas1. The Environment Agency said minor flooding impacts might continue in places until Tuesday1. No further updates on the road deaths or the Trefriw search have been reported.
