Storm Bert: thousands without power as UK is lashed with 70mph gusts

On Saturday, Storm Bert continued to hit the nation, leaving thousands of households without electricity due to gusts reaching 70 mph in various regions.

Weather experts predict that with the temperature increasing this weekend, the combination of melting snow and heavy rainfall could lead to significant flooding nationwide.

UK energy officials cautioned that the harsh weather has not yet fully affected most regions of the country.

Ross Easton from the Energy Networks Association, which represents power network operators in the UK, stated, "Weather experts are calling this a 'multi-hazard event,' with the most severe conditions still ahead. In response, our members have additional engineers and customer service teams on standby, and control rooms are keeping a close eye on the storm as it unfolds."

The Met Office has warned that high winds are likely to result in “hazardous coastal conditions.” A yellow wind alert is currently active for southern England and sections of Wales until 9pm on Sunday. The highest wind gust recorded during the storm reached 82 mph in Capel Curig, north Wales.

A man in his sixties lost his life when a tree crashed onto a vehicle heading south on the A34 close to Winchester on Saturday morning. Hampshire police are looking into the possibility that the incident was related to the weather conditions.

In West Yorkshire, a 34-year-old man from Bradford lost his life when his car crashed into a wall in Shipley. Authorities are looking into the incident, but preliminary information suggests that the road conditions were not icy at the time of the accident.

Five adults and five kids needed to be saved from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, close to Llangollen in northern Wales, after a landslide occurred. A representative from the North Wales fire and rescue service stated that everyone is currently being evaluated by ambulance staff in a safe location “somewhere warm.” Although another landslide has been noted in the vicinity, it appears that no one has been impacted by it.

Storm Bert struck the UK on Saturday morning, prompting weather advisories and 16 flood alerts throughout the country. Parts of Scotland, Yorkshire, and the northeast of England received amber warnings due to expected heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, many other regions in the UK were under yellow warnings for wind, rain, and snow, which are expected to last through Sunday.

In Scotland, authorities advised against non-essential travel as Storm Bert continued to disrupt transportation throughout the region. Avanti West Coast has canceled its train service between Edinburgh and Carlisle, with plans to restart the direct route not set until Sunday afternoon.

The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was closed due to high winds, while a section of the A66 in County Durham was shut in both directions because of snowfall. Additionally, traffic was completely halted on the M80 close to Castlecary in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Newcastle airport experienced flight disruptions due to heavy snowfall in the north-east. Some incoming flights were redirected to Belfast and Edinburgh.

Train services were disrupted as well, with the Conwy Valley line, connecting Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Heart of Wales line, linking Swansea to Shropshire, remaining closed on Sunday. Additionally, Irish Ferries’ routes between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, along with Stena Line’s crossings between Fishguard and Rosslare, were also called off.

Storm Bert caused significant disruption to the domestic football schedule. The Championship match between Blackburn and Portsmouth was called off, along with several League Two fixtures: Bradford versus Accrington, Fleetwood against MK Dons, and Salford facing Bromley.

In Scotland's lower leagues, the only games that went ahead during the storm were the Scottish Championship matchup between Ayr and Dunfermline, as well as the League One encounter featuring Montrose and Annan.

The Met Office predicts that significant rainfall will start overnight and continue into Sunday in the south-western and southern parts of England, extending from Oxford all the way to Truro.

A yellow warning is in effect until 11:45 PM on Sunday, with the possibility of up to 70mm of rain in that period. The national weather service also indicated that certain areas of Dartmoor could experience between 100mm and 150mm of rainfall.