Storm Bert wreaked havoc over the weekend, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and major travel disruptions across the UK.
Torrential rain led to homes being flooded and roads turned into rivers, while winds of up to 82mph were recorded in parts of the country.
At least five deaths have been reported as a result of the storm, and authorities have warned of ongoing risks as rain from high ground continues to affect rivers.
The Met Office’s rain warnings expired at 11.59 pm on Sunday, but the aftermath of the storm continues to affect the region.
More than 200 flood alerts remain in place for England and Wales, with strong winds persisting into Monday.
As rainfall from higher ground flows into rivers, further flooding is expected, potentially disrupting travel and clean-up efforts.
South Wales bore the brunt of the storm, with the Rhondda Cynon Taf area declaring a major incident on Sunday. Local leaders expressed concern that the storm’s impact could rival that of Storm Dennis in 2020.
Severe Weather Causes Travel Delays and Power Outages Across the UKDespite significant investments in flood protection since then, the destruction remains devastating, especially for those affected just before Christmas.
The storm’s heavy rainfall accounted for 80% of November’s total, with Capel Curig in North Wales seeing 64.4mm of rain in just 12 hours.
In addition to flooding, gusts of up to 82mph caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power outages. Over 350,000 homes in England lost power, though most have now been restored.
Transportation networks have been severely impacted. Rail services across the UK have faced cancellations and delays due to flooded tracks, fallen trees, and power outages.
Rail operators, including Southern and Thameslink, have urged passengers to avoid travel where possible.
Airports also saw significant disruption, with over 300 flights canceled, particularly at Heathrow, where crosswinds of up to 40mph affected departures and arrivals.
As Storm Bert moves on, the focus now shifts to recovery efforts, with emergency services continuing to assist those affected by the storm’s destructive force.