Storm Bert: Major incident declared as homes and cars flooded in South Wales
At least 100 properties have potentially been flooded in Wales, with the area's MP saying he had "never seen flooding on this scale before".
Sunday 24 November 2024 17:04, UK
A major incident has been declared in parts of South Wales, with homes and cars underwater as Storm Bert continues to batter the UK.
The storm has brought more than 80% of November's average monthly rainfall in less than 48 hours to some parts, the Met Office said.
At least 100 properties have potentially been flooded in South Wales, with rest centres established for those affected.
Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said he had never seen flooding "on this scale before" - as hundreds of flood warnings and alerts are in place around the UK.
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Rising waters have been reported in several towns, including Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Aberdare.
Videos and pictures show parts of Pontypridd underwater, with cars submerged and homeowners bailing out their properties next to the River Taff.
In North Wales, the body of a 75-year-old man has been found after he went missing as floodwaters rose in his area.
Brian Perry was walking his dog near the River Conwy and was last seen at around 4.30pm on Saturday near the now-flooded Gower Road, wearing a red Berghaus waterproof jacket.
Police said they had found a body during the search for Mr Perry just before 3pm on Sunday.
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."
Several landslides have also hit Wales, with crews attending one this morning on the A4106 Bwlch Road from Treorchy to Nantymoel.
On Saturday, 10 people - including five children - were rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen on Saturday. A second landslide was reported in the area on Saturday, but it is understood no one else was affected.
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Mr Bryant said: "I am deeply saddened to witness the devastation caused by last night's storm and the severe flooding across our communities.
Tearful residents band together in Pontypridd
Pontypridd has once again borne the brunt of severe flooding.
On Sion Street, the River Taff has burst its banks, leaving cars stranded in flood water.
While some locals tell me the impact of Storm Bert is not as severe as when the town was devastated by flooding in February 2020, for the residents here it hurts just as much.
Others, whose properties have not been impacted this time around, fear it's only a matter of time as the rain continues to fall.
Tearful residents have spoken with Sky News, as they come to terms with a situation which has become painfully familiar for many.
But Pontypridd, as with towns and villages across the South Wales Valleys, is built on a strong sense of community.
One woman, carrying bags of sausage rolls and pasties, had come to help in any way she could.
"There's a massive support network and volunteer network that I know will be in place after today," she said.
"It's heart-breaking to see. But any little thing that you do helps, doesn't it?"
"The flooding across areas in the Rhondda and Ogmore is unprecedented.
"My team and I are working tirelessly to support those impacted, and I want to assure everyone that the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Bridgend County Borough Council and Dwr Cymru teams are doing everything in their power to respond to this crisis."
The Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan thanked emergency services and council staff who were "working hard to keep us safe during this awful weather and flooding".
More than 280 flood alerts and warnings are in place in England, with another 106 in Wales and 13 in Scotland.
The Met Office said 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.
Rail lines have shut, roads have been disrupted and several weather warnings for wind and rain are in place across the country.
Kew Gardens, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and several other parks were also closed on Sunday due to the weather. Exeter Racecourse was forced to abandon all races after heavy rain and strong winds.
But today is also exceptionally mild for November, the Met Office said, with a high of 17.8C recorded in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, before 10am.
On Saturday, Hampshire Police said a man in his 60s died after a tree fell on to a car on the A34 southbound near Winchester on Saturday morning.
The force said it was investigating whether the incident was linked to the weather. A yellow warning for rain and wind was in place across the area.
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Read more:
Why parts of UK saw no sunshine earlier this month
Going into next week, the Met Office predicts sunny spells and showers.
The forecaster says rain and strong winds may reappear on Wednesday, spreading northeast across England and Wales.