Storm Bert will continue to wreak havoc in England and Wales this week, after days of torrential rain. Environmental Secretary Steve Reed warned that further flooding is ‘likely’ across several communities, though ‘less severe’ than those experienced on Sunday and Monday morning.
“Further flooding is sadly likely over the next few days as water levels rise in slower flowing rivers such as the Severn and the Ouse,” he said in a statement to the Commons on Monday evening. “The Environment Agency anticipates that any impacts should be less severe than we have seen in recent days.”
His alert comes as communities across England and Wales begin a ‘massive clean-up’ operation in the wake of the brutal weather. The storm left an estimated 107 properties flooded, transformed roads into rivers, and recorded winds exceeding 80mph in parts of the UK.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson described the road conditions as some of the ‘worst’ ‘we’ve seen all year’, explaining to the Met Office last Thursday: “With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well as ice forms on untreated surfaces.
“Drivers should ensure their tyres have plenty of tread and are inflated to the correct pressure to give them the best possible grip on the road. It’s best to stick to major roads, rather than rural areas where surfaces may not be gritted, reduce speeds and leave plenty of space behind the vehicle in front to ensure you have more time to stop.”
A man in his 80s tragically died after his car entered water at a ford in Colne, Lancashire, on Saturday, while a body was also found in the search for Brian Perry, 75, who went missing while walking his dog near the Afon Conwy river in North Wales on the same day.
A severe flood warning, which means there is danger to life, was still in place in Billing Aquadrome holiday park and the surrounding parks next to the River Nene in Northampton on Monday evening.