Storm Bert: Major incident declared as devastating floods spark mass evacuation with cars submerged & streets underwater
11/24/2024 07:00 AM
A MAJOR incident has been declared as Storm Bert devastates with raging floodwaters and sparks mass evacuation.
Locals in Pontypridd, South Wales, awoke to find their front gardens underwater and cars completely submerged on the street.
Persistent rainfall overnight saw the River Taff burst its banks and cause chaos in the town.
A major incident has now been declared across several parts of South Wales due to the rapid floodwater.
Businesses have also been affected, including those on Mill Street in Pontypridd.
Fire rescue services are helping residents navigate the dangers and pump water from people’s homes.
One local shared on social media: “The River Taff at Merthyr Vale and Aberfan has burst its banks.
“Residents have been urged not to use roads. Aberfan community centre has been opened for those who have had to evacuate their homes.”
Samantha Price from Cwm told Sky News: “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.
“We thought the wall would come down.”
Floodwaters have been reported in several towns, including Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Aberdare, while more than 100 alerts are in place.
Chris Bryant, the MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said: “I am deeply saddened to witness the devastation caused by last night’s storm and the severe flooding across our communities.
“The flooding across areas in the Rhondda and Ogmore is unprecedented. I have never seen it on this scale before.
“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.”
Meanwhile in in Cymmer, South Wales, shocking pictures show the destruction yet another landslide has inflicted.
This comes after five children and five adults had to be rescued from a similar natural disaster yesterday.
All ten people were thankfully saved from the house in North Wales.
Photographs shared by Cymmer Fire Station today reveal debris strewn across parts of the A4106, blocking a car.
A spokesperson said: “Crews are currently on scene at a landslide A4106 Bwlch Road from Treorchy to Nantymoel. This road is will be closed until further notice.”
Elsewhere, a mum watched in horror as her 11-month-old baby became trapped inside a car sinking in raging floodwaters.
FLOOD WARNINGS
THE Environment Agency has issued 66 flood warnings were flooding is expected
- Brimfield Brook at Orleton and Brimfield
- Bristol Avon (upper) from Chippenham to Melksham
- Doniford Stream in the Sampford Mill Farm area
- Dulas Brook at Ewyas Harold
- Ginge Brook between Steventon and Sutton Courtenay, including Milton and Drayton Mill areas
- Illey Brook at Halesowen
- Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater
- Middle Stour from Hammoon to Sturminster Marshall
- Midgelden Brook at Bacup Road – Gauxholme
- River Arrow at Eardisland
- River Arrow at Kington
- River Axe (Lower) from Axminster to Axmouth
- River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
- River Bovey at Bovey Tracey and Heathfield
- River Brit at Newtown, and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
- River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties
- River Calder at Brearley and Luddenden Foot
- River Calder at Callis Bridge and Charlestown
- River Calder at Central Todmorden
- River Calder at Eastwood
- River Calder at Hebden Bridge – Mytholm and Hebble End
- River Calder at Horbury – The Strands
- River Calder at Todmorden from the Cricket Ground to the Railway Bridge
- River Calder at Todmorden – Harley Wood
- River Calder at Todmorden – Patmos Burnley Road
- River Calder from Todmorden to Eastwood
- River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary
- River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, including Staverton
- River Dene at Walton
- River Dove at Dovefields Crossing and Saltbrook Cottage
- River Eden at Carlisle, Rickerby Park, Swifts and Stoneyholme Golf Courses
- River Eden at Low Crosby, Warwick Holmes
- River Evenlode at Milton under Wychwood, Shipton under Wychwood and Ascott under Wychwood
- River Hamps at Waterhouses
- River Isle at Ashford Mill and Ilford Bridges
- River Isle at Ilminster
- River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster
- River Lew at Gribbleford Bridge and Hatherleigh
- River Lyd from Sydenham to Lifton
- River Okement at Brightley, Jacobstowe and Monkokehampton
- River Parrett (upper) from South Perrott to Thorney
- Rivers Stour and Iwerne at Stourpaine
- River Stour at Mitford Bridge, Shipston on Stour and Tredington
- River Tamar from Greystone Bridge to Cotehele excluding Calstock
- River Taw (Middle) from Taw Bridge to Newnham Bridge
- River Teign (Lower) from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton
- River Teign (Upper) from Clifford Bridge to Chudleigh
- River Teme at Stanford Bridge
- River Torridge (Lower) from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard
- River Ure at Boroughbridge Camping and Caravanning Site
- River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook
- River Vyrnwy at Melverley
- River Weaver at Nantwich, Lakeside View
- River Weaver at Shrewbridge Lodge
- River Wye from Hay to Hereford
- River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster
- River Yeo at Mudford
- River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil
- Saredon Brook at Standeford near Coven
- Smestow Brook at Hinksford
- The Bourn at Bournville
- Upper Frome at Maiden Newton
- Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester
- Walsden Water at Todmorden from Shade to Salford
- Walsden Water at Walsden
- Water Eaton Brook at Water Eaton
Storm Bert nearly claimed another life as it wreaked havoc across the UK with 82mph winds, heavy snow and flooding.
The baby’s dad, Andre Randles, had to rescue his son when his Volkswagen hatchback became submerged in West Yorkshire.
The tot’s terrified mum, Paige Newsome, spoke of her terror watching the ordeal unfold.
Meanwhile, families in Belfast were “trapped inside” their homes as firefighters pumped out flood water, as reported by the BBC.
But Storm Bert tragically claimed its first life on Saturday after a tree fell on a car.
A man in his 60s died in Hampshire just before 8.00am after the horror.
It comes as the chaos rages on into a second day.
As the Atlantic brings warmer temperatures, snow that covered the north of England and much of Scotland yesterday is melting.
This has sparked 66 red flood warnings in England, meaning flooding is expected, with the Environment Agency warning business owners should “act now”.
Meanwhile, there are more than 200 areas where flooding is possible
Yorkshire residents have also been battered by rising water levels today.
Have you been affected by Storm Bert? Email summer.raemason@the-sun.co.uk
In West Yorkshire there are nearly a dozen flood warnings in place.
Todmorden local Mike Latham told Sky News: “I just feel abandoned at times, to be honest.
“At the end of the day, half the time the flood alert comes in late, we have already started dealing with it.”
Met Office yellow weather warnings for rain and wind covering large swathes of the country are also in place.
Today there is a yellow weather warning for wind covering the Scottish Highlands from midday until midnight.
A Yellow weather warning for wind is also in place from 11am this morning until 6pm across the whole of Northern Ireland.
In south east England, the same alert is in place from 8am until 9pm, and along the whole of the coastline until 9pm.
There is also a yellow weather warning for rain covering south Wales from 6am until 1pm.
And a second yellow alert for rain in place on the south west coast that came into force at 6am on Saturday and lasts until 11.45pm tonight.
Winter Wonderland has now announced it will be closed along with eight other major parks over Storm Bert safety fears.
A spokesperson for Winter Wonderland said: “All affected ticket holders have been contacted directly.”
“The safety of our visitors and staff are our top priority and we are sorry for any disappointment caused,” they added.
“With better weather forecast in the coming week, we anticipate operating as normal from Monday, and look forward to welcoming guests again soon.
“Please keep an eye on our official channels for further updates.”
Kew Gardens in Richmond has also been forced to close due to “severe weather”.
In a post on X, a spokesperson confirmed its Christmas attraction had also been cancelled tonight.
