Heavy rain and melting snow have combined to cause flooding across the UK and a major disaster has been declared in south Wales as Storm Bart continues to batter the country.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Council has declared a state of emergency as flood waters rise in towns across the region. Rising water levels affected towns including Pontypridd, Ebbwvale and Aberdare.
The River Taff in Pontypridd has overflowed its banks near Syon Street, flooding homes and forcing businesses to close on Mill Street. As firefighters tried to pump water from the road, residents resorted to using buckets to rescue their front yards.
Rest centers have been set up at Pontypridd Library, Ystrad Sports Centre, Sobel Leisure Center and Cynon Valley Indoor Bowls Center for those affected.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said the weekend had been “extremely difficult and disruptive” due to Storm Bad and that “the trauma and upheaval this has caused should never be underestimated”.
“Given the scale of the impact, it is important that we continue to exercise extreme caution and follow official advice in the coming days,” they said.
“As the focus shifts to recovery, it is important that those affected receive continued support and we, along with our partners, will play our part in providing that support.”
Keir Starmer said he had spoken to Welsh First Minister Erned Morgan and thanked the emergency services.
“My thoughts are with those affected,” he said in a post to X.
A council spokesperson said: “Severe weather will cause widespread impact throughout the evening, with over 100 properties, both commercial and residential, likely to be flooded.”
“Council property has also been affected, with the Lido Ponti Theatre, Park and Dare Theater and a number of schools affected. “The affected schools will be contacting families directly to inform them.
“A number of motorways are closed, a landslide has caused the closure of the Burch Mountain Road in Nantymoel, and South Wales Police have closed the bridge at Pontypridd. My advice to everyone is: Travel only if necessary.”
Pontypridd Parkrun's Facebook page said: The full extent of the damage is not yet known, but the first photos don't look good. ”
Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda Ogmore, said: Flooding across the Rhondda and Ogmore rivers is unprecedented. I've never seen it on this scale. ”
More than 200 flood warnings were issued across England, Wales and Scotland on Saturday night, and a Met Office yellow warning for rain and winds extended to large parts of the country until Sunday.
Five men died on the streets and thousands of homes lost power during Storm Bad.
Andy Page, the Bureau of Meteorology's chief meteorologist, said wind speeds could reach 60 to 70 miles per hour. He said: “Although the risk of snow has now reduced, rainfall will affect much of the UK today, particularly parts of south-west England and south Wales, although the heaviest rainfall will be in these areas. It is expected to weaken during the day.” Warnings may continue to be amended, perhaps at short notice, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest forecasts. ”
Mild temperatures have melted the snow that blanketed much of northern England and Scotland. Dozens of red flood warnings are in place across the UK, meaning flooding is expected and residents and business owners need to “act now”, according to the Environment Agency.
Some attractions were closed due to strong winds. Hyde Park's winter wonderland closed on Sunday, as did all of London's royal parks, including Greenwich Park and Primrose Hill.
Travel disruptions continued into Sunday, with ferry company DFDS suspending operations on some routes until Monday, including the Newhaven to Dieppe route.
On Sunday, the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was also closed to traffic, and sections of the A66 in North Yorkshire and Cumbria were closed to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles.
Storm Bart brought 80% of November's rainfall. As much as 64.4 mm (2.53 inches) of rain fell in 12 hours on Saturday in Capel Currig in north Wales, and wind gusts of up to 82 mph (132 kph) were recorded in the Welsh village.
On Sunday afternoon, North Wales Police announced that a body had been found in a search for 75-year-old Brian Perry, who went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday.
Superintendent Simon Neill, of North Wales Police, said: “I would like to thank all agencies involved in the search for their efforts under extremely difficult circumstances, and the local community for supporting our local teams.” Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. ”
A man in his 60s has died after a tree fell on his car on the A34 near Winchester, Hampshire Police said. Officers found the driver of a black Mercedes E350 dead at the scene and were investigating whether the incident was related to the storm.
A man in his 80s has died after his car plunged into shallow water near Colne on Saturday afternoon, Lancashire Police said.
He was rescued from the car and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A woman in her 80s was also rescued from the car and taken to the hospital. The force said her condition is not life-threatening.
Two other fatal accidents occurred while the storm hit the UK. A 34-year-old man has died in a single-vehicle collision in the early hours of Saturday, West Yorkshire Police said. It is unclear whether the accident is related to Storm Bart, but the roads are believed to be unaffected by the ice.
In Northamptonshire, a man in his 40s has died after a crash on the A45 near Furore. It is unclear whether the incident is related to the storm.
Five adults and five children had to be rescued after a landslide hit a house in Ranarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen, North Wales, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.
Rail operators suspended service on some routes for the rest of the day on Saturday and urged passengers to check routes before traveling.
Avanti West Coast canceled all day service between Edinburgh and Carlisle on Saturday, with the next direct flight from Carlisle not scheduled to operate until Sunday afternoon.
Greater Anglia, which operates trains from London's Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, suspended 52 services on Sunday afternoon after falling trees damaged overhead power lines.
A spokesperson for the Energy Network Association announced that power had been restored to 325,000 homes by Sunday morning.
