The recent search operations conducted by the North Wales Police resulted in the tragic discovery of a body while looking for Brian Perry, a 75-year-old man who went missing during Storm Bert. Perry’s family has been notified, though formal identification of the body has yet to occur. The sad incident began as Perry was enjoying a walk with his wife and dog alongside the River Conwy near Trefriw in Conwy County. It was reported that this area had been severely impacted by substantial floodwaters, significantly complicating the search efforts for the missing man.
Chief Inspector Simon Kneale remarked on the difficult situation faced by Mr. Perry’s family during this challenging time and indicated that police officers were engaged in providing support to them. As Storm Bert continued to impact the UK, causing flooding across much of Wales, homes, and roadways faced significant disruption. The authorities have issued numerous flood warnings as a precautionary measure against the severe weather conditions.
In the south of Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Council declared a major incident due to heavy flooding reported in several areas, including Pontypridd. Local residents were observed bailing out water from their homes, particularly on Sion Street, where many vehicles had been abandoned due to rising water levels. One resident expressed frustration about the lack of warnings, indicating that they only realized the severity of the situation when water started entering their property around 8:00 AM on Sunday.
Rest centers were established for those affected by the flooding at locations such as the Ystrad Sports Centre and Pontypridd Library, providing temporary relief for displaced residents. Businessman Steve West shared the struggles faced by local businesses, mentioning the preparations to clear out his office while also hoping for the best outcomes. He highlighted that surrounding shops were hit even harder due to their location at a lower elevation.
Andrew Morgan, the council leader, clarified that the flooding was extensive, with the river bursting its banks at multiple points including Aberavon, Mountain Ash, and Abercynon. He informed that thousands of sandbags had been distributed, but the ferocity of the weather had overwhelmed those efforts, reminiscent of the serious flooding experienced in the area during Storm Dennis in 2020.
Moreover, flooding conditions were reported across other regions including Caerphilly and Newport, while landslips were noted in places such as Wrexham County and Merthyr Tydfil. The Natural Resources Wales agency issued over 40 flood warnings and approximately 50 alerts in response to the situation. Approximately 10,000 residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf were advised to boil their tap water due to a detected water quality issue at the Tynywaun water treatment works, further complicating the crisis.
In addition to the flooding, traffic disruptions were prevalent; about 1,300 properties in south and west Wales were without power on Sunday morning. Several roads were closed due to flooding and fallen trees, exacerbating the challenges presented by Storm Bert.
As the storm progressed, the Met Office issued weather warnings for strong winds until the evening, covering various counties including Anglesey, Bridgend, Cardiff, and Gwynedd. They anticipated that while much of the intense rainfall would ease by the afternoon, certain hilly areas could still receive an additional 30-40 mm, intensifying the risk of floods and further complications in recovery efforts.
Overall, the impact of Storm Bert on communities across Wales highlights the vulnerabilities faced during severe weather events, amplifying concerns regarding emergency preparedness and response to protect the public from potential dangers associated with flooding and landslides.
