As Storm Bert sweeps through Wales, significant flooding and widespread disruption have prompted urgent responses from local authorities. Homes are inundated, roads are blocked, and numerous flood warnings remain active as communities grapple with the aftermath of heavy rainfall.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf council has declared a major incident due to extensive flooding, particularly affecting areas like Pontypridd. Residents are actively working to bail out their homes as floodwaters continue to rise. Additional reports indicate that flooding has also impacted Caerphilly and Newport, alongside landslides in Wrexham County and Powys.
Authorities from Natural Resources Wales have issued over 40 flood warnings and 50 alerts in response to the severe weather conditions.
In a further complication, approximately 10,000 residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf have been advised to boil their tap water after Welsh Water identified water quality issues at the Tynywaun water treatment facility.
The Met Office has warned of continued heavy rain across much of Wales until 13:00 GMT, while the National Grid reported about 1,300 properties in south and west Wales without electricity on Sunday morning.
Traffic authorities have closed several roads due to flooding and fallen trees, complicating travel for those affected. Many flooded properties are located on Sion Street in Pontypridd, where vehicles remain stranded in deep water. One resident expressed frustration at receiving no prior warning before the water began entering homes early Sunday morning.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council has set up rest centers for displaced residents at various locations including Ystrad Sports Centre and Aberdare’s Sobell Leisure Centre. Local businessman Steve West described his situation, indicating that he had cleared his office but remained anxious about potential damage to nearby businesses.
“We’re just waiting for the water to recede now really,” he shared regarding the precarious state of local shops.
Additionally, landslides have caused disruptions on major roads, including the A4106 Bwlch Road, while special services on the Brecon Mountain Railway were canceled due to safety concerns.
As weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds extend across multiple regions—including Cardiff, Swansea, and Vale of Glamorgan—residents remain vigilant. The Met Office anticipates that while conditions may improve by early afternoon on Sunday, some areas could still experience an additional 30-40mm of rain.
Looking ahead, communities across Wales will need to prepare for ongoing challenges as they recover from Storm Bert’s impact. With changing weather patterns becoming more common, local governments may need to reassess their emergency response strategies to better protect residents in future storms.
Storm Bert Disrupts Life Across Wales Storm Bert is unleashing severe weather conditions across Wales, prompting officials to issue warnings for high winds and heavy rainfall throughout the weekend.
Storm Bert Disrupts Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Severe weather conditions brought on by Storm Bert have resulted in significant disruptions across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.