Storm Bert has brought widespread devastation across the UK, causing severe flooding and major disruption to public transport following a weekend of torrential rain and high winds, Bloomberg reports, citing The Press Association.
Hundreds of homes have been inundated, roads transformed into rivers, and wind gusts exceeding 80mph recorded in several areas.
The aftermath is leaving a trail of destruction: two severe flood warnings – indicating a danger to life – remain in place for the River Monnow in south-east Wales, affecting Monmouth and Skenfrith, following a major incident declaration in the Rhondda Cynon Taf region on Sunday. Another severe flood warning is in effect for Billing Aquadrome and surrounding parks near the River Nene in Northampton. The Environment Agency has issued over 150 flood warnings and more than 200 flood alerts in England, with a further 22 warnings and 36 alerts in Wales.
Rail services are severely impacted. Passengers are urged not to travel between Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Stansted Airport due to fallen trees damaging overhead power lines; services are not expected to resume until 2pm. London Northwestern Railway has suspended all services through Northampton station as the River Nene has burst its banks.
Southern Rail has announced widespread cancellations and revisions to its services across south-east England, affecting its London network and the West Coastway line between Havant and Southampton. Great Western Railways has advised against travel on many of its major lines to London Paddington, including services from Penzance, Bristol Temple Meads, Swindon, Reading, and Worcester. The scale of the disruption is prompting warnings to avoid all but essential travel in affected areas.
