Storm Bert latest updates: Train disruptions predicted for Monday as ‘devastating’ floods kill two people
More than 200 flood alerts remain in place for England and Wales and travel issues are set to continue
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Storm Bert will continue to cause travel disruptions today due to several rail lines being shut following “devastating” flooding over the weekend.
Rail passengers have been urged not to travel between Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Stansted Airport as major disruption is expected until 2pm.
Southern, which runs rail services across the south-east of England, said some services on Monday will be cancelled or revised because of forecast severe weather.
At least two people died as the storm caused flooding over the weekend in the UK, leaving hundreds of homes underwater and turning roads into rivers.
A body was found in the search for a 75-year-old man missing in the River Conwy, as the heavy rainfall and thawed snow brought by Storm Bert put more than 400 areas in the UK at risk of flooding.
The second named storm of the season brought nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph recorded, causing chaos for those travelling by road and rail.
More than 200 flood alerts remain in place for England and Wales and travel issues are set to continue into the new week.
Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan said the flood has been “absolutely devastating”.
Man dies as Storm Bert batters UK bringing flooding, power cuts and travel chaos
Storm Bert map: When and where UK will be hit by snow and winds after Met Office issue weather warning
Every storm name for 2024/25 revealed as Met Office confirm Storm Bert to hit UK this weekend
How to stay safe during Storm Bert
Rainfall to ease through the day, Met Office says
The rainfall affecting much of the UK today will ease through the day, the Met Office has said.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “Impacts from Storm Bert will continue to cause disruption as we go through today, and multiple warnings are in place for wind and rain.”
“While the risk of any snowfall has now diminished, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, in particular some southwestern parts of England and South Wales, but the heaviest rain will ease from these areas through the day.
Body found in search for 75-year-old man missing in river, police say
A body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police said.
Firefighters pump water out of Pontypridd street
Firefighters have begun to pump water out of Sion Street in Pontypridd where several homes have been flooded.
This is the second time in four years the street – which runs alongside the River Taff – has experienced major flooding.
Members of the public have been arriving to pass out food and drinks to the emergency workers and people bailing water from their homes.
Storm Bert continues to cause havoc on railways
Busy rail routes have also been affected by the blustery weather.
Multiple fallen trees have damaged overhead electrical wires on the railway line between Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, causing major disruption until further notice, Greater Anglia said.
Great Western Railway services between Plymouth and Penzance, Reading and Basingstoke and Exeter and Barnstaple have had lines blocked by fallen trees leading to cancellations and delays.
Southwestern Railway services into London Waterloo have been disrupted by a tree blocking the railway between Fleet and Farnborough in Hampshire.
With nearly 400 areas at risk of flooding, severe flooding blocked railway lines between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury on Sunday morning, but all lines have now reopened. Trains on the route could still be disrupted until well into the afternoon, National Rail said.
Heathrow and Gatwick: flight cancellation chaos intensifies
Many more flights have been cancelled at Heathrow as Storm Bert disrupts flight schedules.
British Airways has now grounded well over 100 short-haul flights to and from the UK’s busiest airport. Links to Athens and Gibraltar are among the most recent cancellations.
Other airlines have also grounded flights, including SAS to and from Stockholm, TAP Portugal serving Lisbon and two round-trips from Amsterdam on KLM.
Several diversions have added to the disruptions. Emirates’ flagship service, EK1, diverted to Birmingham after attempting to land at Heathrow. An Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna went to Brussels. And two Heathrow-bound flights – Egyptair from Cairo and Saudia from Jeddah – diverted to Gatwick.
The Sussex airport has itself seen four diversions, too. Ryanair from Dublin and easyJet from Nantes both went to Birmingham instead. Wizz Air from Rome landed at Stansted. The longest diversion was on Vueling: a flight from Barcelona to Gatwick flew to Manchester. It later returned to its intended destination.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments