Two reported dead as Storm Bert hits UK
Storm Bert has wreaked havoc across the UK, leaving 60 000 homes in Northern Ireland without power on Saturday, November 23, 2024, disrupting flights, and causing severe flooding and snowstorms across multiple regions. Authorities have issued Amber and Yellow Warnings for snow, ice, and flooding across the UK as Bert continues to bring hazardous conditions, disrupting transport and threatening safety. Two people were reported dead, as of late Saturday afternoon (LT).
Image credit: Carlow Weather
- Storm Bert caused power outages for at least 60 000 homes in Northern Ireland, with flood warnings and alerts issued for 49 areas across the UK where two people were reported dead during the storm.
- Amber warnings for heavy snow and ice were issued for Scotland, Yorkshire, and northeast England, while Yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow remain in effect for broader regions.
- Severe floods have been reported across the region due to the storm
- Winds reaching up to 129 km/h (80 mph) and heavy rain, amounting to nearly a month’s worth in some areas, have led to localized flooding, particularly in Wales and southwest England.
Storm Bert struck the United Kingdom on Saturday, November 23, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Northern Ireland and leaving 60 000 homes without power.
At least 2 people have been reported dead during the storm. Hampshire Police reported one death after a tree fell onto a car on the A34 highway southbound near Winchester on Saturday morning. Another person, a man in his 60s who was driving a black Mercedes was confirmed dead at the scene on the A34 southbound carriageway, between Kings Worthy and Winnall. The incident is still being investigated.
The storm caused severe disruption to traffic and flights, with a British Airways flight to Heathrow canceled. Several flights were disrupted at Newcastle Airport due to heavy snow in the North East.
Severe weather alerts were issued for multiple national highways due to snow affecting Yorkshire and northeast England, warning of blizzard conditions and prolonged heavy snow.
“Storm Bert will bring rain and strong winds north-eastwards on Saturday between 05:00 and 15:00, with the rain preceded by a period of disruptive snow over parts of northeast England,” a statement from the Met Office said.
An Amber alert for heavy snow and ice was in place until 17:00 on Saturday across Scotland, with 10 – 20 cm (4 – 8 inches) likely on the ground above 200 m (656 feet) and potentially 20 – 40 cm (8 – 16 inches) on hills above 400 m (1 312 feet).
A second Amber warning was in place until midday on Saturday, covering parts of Yorkshire and northeast England. Yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow are in place until 09:00 on Sunday, November 24, for broader areas of these regions.
The weather warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire, parts of the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire.
“The melting snow and heavy rain could lead to localized flooding, particularly in Wales and the southwest, especially over south-facing hills. These areas are likely to experience gales and risks from both wind and rain,” said Aidan McGivern, a meteorologist at the Met Office.
Flood warnings and 49 flood alerts have been issued across parts of the country. The Accrington and Oswaldwistle Rivers in Lancashire are under a flood warning, with authorities urging residents to take immediate action.
Ireland, the Feale River overflowed, causing flooding in Listowel town on Saturday. Severe flooding in Abbeyfeale resulted in substantial property damage, with a soccer club submerged in 30 cm (11.8 inches) of water.
Winds of up to 129 km/h (80 mph) are expected in parts of the country during the weekend as the storm brings a multi-wave impact. Strong winds are forecast for the southern coast, with gusts exceeding 113 km/h (70 mph) in places. Wind warnings cover Scotland from 05:00 until 19:00 on Saturday.
Some regions are forecast to receive almost a month’s worth of rain over the weekend. Flooding due to heavy rainfall has already caused severe railway disruptions across Northern Ireland.
Over the weekend, Wales and southwest England may receive 75 mm (2.95 inches) of rain widely, with over 100 mm (3.94 inches) possible in higher areas of south Wales and Dartmoor. Significant flooding was seen on Bridge Street in Killybegs, Donegal on Saturday.
Railway lines between Belfast and Antrim, and Newry and Portadown, are closed due to flooding. According to Translink, railway infrastructure was damaged, and passengers were advised to use alternative routes.
Rain and snow warnings cover northern England until 09:00 on Sunday and Northern Ireland until 11:00 on Saturday. Rain warnings extend over much of Wales until 06:00 on Sunday and southwest England until 23:45 on Saturday.
Some roads are blocked due to debris, and motorists are warned of difficult driving conditions.
In Northern Ireland, the storm caused significant damage, with Yellow warnings issued for the entire region. A shed roof was reportedly blown off in Dungiven, County Londonderry, blocking the Ballyquinn Road. Belfast’s Ravenhill Road was impassable near Martyrs Memorial Church due to flooding.
Several roads are blocked by fallen trees and power lines while some bus lines are canceled due to floods. Ferry services are also disrupted between Larne and Cairnryan.
The A628 in Yorkshire remains closed overnight in both directions between the A616 Hollingworth and the A57 Flouch due to snow, according to National Highways. The A66 Trans-Pennine route is closed between the A6 and the M6.
References:
1 Storm Bert latest: ‘Multi-hazard weather event’ hits UK and Ireland – as snow accumulating ‘thick and fast – Sky News – November 23, 2024
2 Rail lines shut and gritter stuck in snow as Storm Bert arrives – BBC – November 23, 2024
3 Snow closes roads and railway lines as Storm Bert hits UK – The Guardian – November 23, 2024
4 Storm Bert: 34,000 homes without power as Met Éireann issues new weather warnings – Irish Independent – November 23, 2024
5 Red and Orange warnings expire as Storm Bert brings flooding – RTE – November 23, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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