Storm Bert has wreaked havoc across the UK, bringing strong winds, snow, and heavy rainfall, resulting in fatalities, major transportation delays, and power outages. A man in his 60s died after a tree fell on his car on the A34 near Winchester on Saturday morning, as the storm intensified. Two other road fatalities were reported in West Yorkshire and Northamptonshire, though it is unclear whether they were directly linked to the storm.
The storm has caused major disruption, with road closures, train cancellations, and flight delays. Heavy snowfall in parts of England led to the closure of several A-roads, and rail operators such as Northern Rail and Avanti West Coast were forced to cancel dozens of services. Flights at Newcastle and Leeds Bradford airports were delayed, although both airports later resumed normal operations.
The storm’s effects were particularly severe in Scotland, where unanticipated snowfalls caused long traffic jams, road closures, and the suspension of bus services in Edinburgh. The Queensferry Crossing, a major bridge over the Firth of Forth, was closed due to the threat of falling ice. Several Scottish football matches were also affected, with game kick-offs delayed and cancellations of some fixtures.
In Wales, up to 150mm of rain fell in some areas, equivalent to the total rainfall expected for November in a single day. Flood warnings were issued for low-lying areas, particularly in Carmarthenshire and Denbighshire, where a landslide prompted the rescue of ten people from a house. By Sunday morning, 49 flood warnings were still in place across England, and numerous flood alerts were in effect across the country.
Storm Bert also led to widespread power outages, with over 1,000 homes left without power in Wales and the southwest of England. In addition, strong winds, with gusts reaching 82mph in Conwy and 75mph on the Isle of Wight, caused damage and forced the closure of the Severn Bridge and several ferry services.
Authorities have issued ongoing warnings for heavy rain, snow, and strong winds, urging the public to stay alert as the storm’s aftermath continues to affect the country. The National Grid reported that power outages were gradually being resolved, but significant disruption remains as the storm moves northeast.