Man dies after being swept away in river as Storm Bert causes floods across UK

A major incident has been declared in South Wales after flooding caused by Storm Bert

A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing in floodwater as Storm Bert continues to cause disruption across the UK.

Storm Bert has brought more than 80% of November’s average monthly rainfall in less than 48 hours as it continues to cause disruption around the country, with major flooding being reported across Wales.

A man in his 80s has died after his car entered water near Colne on Saturday, Lancashire Police said.

The force said the man was recovered from the water on Cockhill Lane, Foulridge, shortly after 4.15pm but was later pronounced dead at hospital.

Welsh police said a body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday. It is the fourth death reported in connection with the storm.

The body has not been formally identified but Mr Perry’s family has been informed.

In a statement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, Chief Inspector Simon Kneale of North Wales Police said: “I would like to thank the efforts of all agencies involved in the searches in very difficult conditions and for the local community who supported the teams in the area.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and they have asked that their privacy is respected.”

A major incident has been declared in South Wales after rising waters were been reported in Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Aberdare. Landslides have also been reported in the north of the country.

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan said it has been “a really difficult weekend” and it is “absolutely devastating” for those affected by flooding after Storm Bert hit.

Since the storm began in the early hours of Saturday, 149mm of rain has fallen in Tyn-Y-Waun in Mid Glamorgan, Wales.

On average, the area sees 180mm of rain in the whole of November, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

Baroness Morgan said: “It’s been a really difficult weekend, and I’d like to thank the emergency services for all the support they’re giving to the people affected.

“I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm. There’s been huge investments since the last storm hit, so we’ve managed to protect lots more properties than last time. But obviously this is absolutely devastating, just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he had spoken to Wales' first minister about the flooding and confirmed he is receiving updates on the storm as it develops.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire & Rescue, Natural Resources Wales & South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.

The council said “significant” flooding has taken place with the “impact looking to be more significant than the severe impact experienced during Storm Dennis” in 2020.

The Met Office warned Storm Bert is likely to cause “further heavy rain” and flooding for large parts of southern Wales until 1pm on Sunday, with a yellow rain warning in place.

More than 200 flood warnings are in place across England, Scotland and Wales, with the Met Office warning there is potential for fast-flowing or deep floodwater to cause danger to life on Sunday after heavy downpours and howling winds battered much of the country.

A yellow wind warning has come into force for large parts of England, with gusts of up to 65mph expected in some places.

Another yellow warning for rain remains in place for much of south-west of England, where the Met Office is warning some communities may be cut off by flooded roads.

Wind warnings are also in place in the Scottish Isles and Northern Ireland.

Dozens of red flood warnings have been issued, meaning flooding is expected and residents and business owners should “act now”.

West Midlands Fire Service said its crews rescued a person trapped in a car stranded in floodwater in Walsall on Sunday morning.

Milder temperatures are causing the snow that covered the north of England and much of Scotland earlier in the week to melt.

The National Weather Service has warned some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, particularly in the west of England.

Heavy and persistent rain hit the south west of England on Sunday, with a chance that some places over Dartmoor could see 100-150mm of rainfall, the Met Office said.

Strong winds exacerbated the impact of heavy rain across the country.

Travel disruption that began on Friday continued into Sunday and ferry operator DFDS has cancelled services on some routes until Monday, including its Newhaven to Dieppe sailings.

Gusts of up to 70mph are forecast for Sunday and crosswinds of around 40mph have caused cancellations to some flights from Heathrow Airport on Sunday morning.

At Gatwick Airport and Birmingham Airport, there are some minor delays as a result of the adverse weather conditions.

The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was closed again on Sunday because of strong winds, and the A66 in North Yorkshire and Cumbria is closed to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles in both directions between the A1M and M6 because of the gusty weather.

In Wales, the A40 was closed due to a fallen tree, impacting road users from Sennybridge to Brecon, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.

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.

Around 350,000 homes have lost power so far as strong winds tore down power lines, though most have been reconnected.

A spokesperson for the Energy Networks Association said on Sunday: "Electricity network operators have restored power to 325,000 homes so far after Storm Bert damaged power infrastructure yesterday and today.

"The storm is forecast to move across England throughout today, with weather warnings and flood alerts remaining in force."

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