Storm Bert causes more disruption as anger mounts over warnings

Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts remain in place after torrential rain and high winds from Storm Bert caused major disruption to homes, roads and rail networks.

At least three people died as the storm brought heavy rain, wind and snow over the weekend. Nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in parts of south Wales and south-west England.

Several rail operators cancelled services on Monday, and Welsh Water issued a “boil water” notice to customers in 10 areas advising that their tap water may be contaminated.

Politicians and residents in south Wales, one of the areas worst hit by the flooding, have criticised what they say is a lack of preparation and insufficient warning from officials.

A major clean-up operation is under way in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where locals said lessons were not learned from Storm Dennis, which left much of the town under water in 2020.

Residents of flood-hit areas throughout much of the UK have been left with major clean-up jobs, with one business owner telling the BBC her store had been devastated.

“Everything’s been wiped out this time,” said Laura Jones, whose crafts shop in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was hit.

“Business is totally finished, flooding has wiped us out one too many times.”

She added that she and her husband are now “living hour by hour”.

The Environment Agency issued more than 120 warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and nearly 150 flood alerts across England on Monday, with a severe “danger to life” warning in place near the River Nene in Northampton.

Police there are warning against all unnecessary travel, and have told people “not to drive through floodwater of any depth”.

Several warnings and alerts are also in place across Wales, which saw serious disruption after devastating floods over the weekend.

Some residents of south-east Wales have been advised to boil their water before using it to avoid contamination.

In an advisory posted on X, Welsh Water warned its customers not to drink tap water, use it to prepare food, clean teeth or prepare baby feeds without boiling it first.

But tap water can be used to flush toilets and to wash or bathe, the company said.

Customers in 10 areas in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area are affected.

Scotland has been less affected by floods, with five warnings and alerts in place. None have been issued in Northern Ireland.

But Storm Bert is now centred on the north-west of the UK and is due to track eastwards across Scotland throughout Monday, bringing heavy showers and strong winds. A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued.

Blocked and flooded rail lines have led some train operators to cancel services in several areas on Monday.

Great Western Railway, which runs trains between London and south west England, has advised passengers not to travel on any of its routes.

It said it had suspended services on all key routes after flooding and fallen trees blocked access at key locations.

West Midlands Railway to warn of severe disruption to some of its routes after flooding in Northamptonshire.

National Rail has warned of disruption across England, Wales and Scotland and advised customers to check their routes before travelling.

Drivers can also expect disruption as many roads around the UK have been closed in flood-hit areas.

Severe flooding has also led to dozens of school closures.

At least 30 schools were closed in Wales on Monday with more than a dozen closed in Wiltshire and seven having to shut in Oxfordshire.

Some 57 children were rescued from a coach taking them to school near Evesham, Worcestershire, when it became stuck in a flooded ditch.

Students were ferried to dry land in a fire service rescue boat. The school’s head teacher said all of the children were safe.

In Wiltshire, Chippenham town centre has been brought to a standstill after the River Avon burst its banks.

Becky Lyons, who runs a pet shop in the town, said she felt “numb” after her premises was left under several feet of water.

“It’s reached my storage area, so all the stock ready for Christmas,” she told the BBC.

“I feel a bit empty and numb. I’ve put everything into this shop.”

Ben Ruddy, whose fish and chip shop was flooded in Lydney, Gloucestershire, said he had seen “never seen anything like this before”.

“The sandbags did not do a lot,” he said. “Within a couple of hours the water was over them.

“It’s awful. Hopefully it’s just a lot of cleaning that is needed.”

In Worcestershire, police are investigating footage of a tractor being driven through the flooded streets which caused bow waves to hit shop windows.

Louise Preston, who owns a pottery shop in Tenbury Wells, said her store’s front window was smashed by the water as the tractor drove past.

She said the bow wave also took out the windows of other shops, describing it as “devastating for the town”.

West Mercia Police said it was “aware of videos circulating on social media” and the force is investigating.

West Midlands Fire Service had warned people against driving through flood water on Sunday.

In the aftermath of Storm Bert, some people in south Wales expressed anger about what they said was a lack of preparation.

Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said he was “amazed” that only a yellow weather warning was put in place, saying an amber warning was expected.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Senedd member for South Wales Central, said the warnings came far too late, telling the BBC: “It’s just by luck that it wasn’t worse this time.”

The Met Office said it would conduct a full assessment but the storm was “well forecast” in advance with a number of warnings issued.

Natural Resources Wales said the government body would “absolutely” look into the complaints.