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Live: Three dead as Storm Bert claims first victims as two die in car crashed and another is crushed by tree
23 November 2024, 10:55 | Updated: 23 November 2024, 16:03
Storm Bert has claimed its first victims after two people died in separate car crashes in Northamptonshire and Hampshire - and another was crushed to death in his car by a falling tree.
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It comes as the UK has been hit by strong winds, heavy rain and snow.
The accident happened just before 1am on Saturday - as Storm Bert swept in.
"The driver, a 34-year-old man from Bradford, was given emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later," West Yorkshire Police said.
A local resident told the Mirror: "When I looked outside, I could see the car had spun off the road and smashed into a wall.
"It was freezing last night and the road can be treacherous in icy conditions. We’ve seen accidents here before, but nothing as tragic as this."
Read more: Storm Bert hits UK in 'multi-hazard weather event' as roads forced to close and trains cancelled
Northamptonshire Police say later that a different man died in a two-car collision on the A45 this morning.
Amber weather warnings came into force across the north of England and Scotland in the early hours of Saturday, with up to 40cm of snow expected.
Meanwhile, yellow wind, rain and snow warnings covered much of the rest of the UK for Saturday and into Sunday.
The Met Office said the storm was a "multi-hazard event" as snow beings to accumulate "thick and fast".
The extreme conditions have already cause travel disruption for many, with trains, planes and roads among those affected.
Follow the latest on Storm Bert below
Red Cross offers tips for how to cope during and after a flood
The British Red Cross was deployed in Northwich, Monmouthshire and Enniskillen over the weekend to help those evacuated due to Storm Bert and with clean up operations.
They have also offered some tips for what you can do to stay safe during and after a flood.
During a flood
- Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over. Two feet of water can float a car.
- If you need to evacuate, turn off the main power before you leave. You can be electrocuted in floodwater if the power remains switched on.
- Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage.
- If the flood poses a threat to your safety, call the emergency services immediately.
- If you need to leave your home and have nowhere to stay your local council will help.
After a flood
- Get rid of any contaminated food.
- Boil tap water or use bottled water until supplies are declared safe.
- Follow the UK government's advice on how to keep you and your family safe while cleaning up after a flood.
- Flooding is a stressful experience. If you need support, call NHS 111 by dialling 111. They’ll tell you about crisis support services. You can also call the British Red Cross support line on 0808 196 3651 between 10am-12 midday Monday to Friday. You can also request a call back between 10am and 5pm.
West Mercia Police said it was aware of videos circulating on social media showing a tractor driving through flood water in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, on Sunday, allegedly causing damage to local premises.
Many business owners in the town have said waves caused by the tractor smashed windows of already-flood-hit premises and worsened flooding in some areas protected by sandbags.
A police statement said: "We're actively investigating the incident and officers are in Tenbury Wells this morning speaking to people whose businesses and properties may have been affected, as well as reviewing additional video footage.
"No arrests have been made at this time. We will provide further updates when we are able to."
A5 closed in both directions in Northamptonshire
National Highways said the A5 in Northamptonshire is closed in both directions between the A43 (Towcester) and A422/A508 (Old Stratford) due to "severe flooding" in the area.
Specialist contractors are working at the scene to clear the flood water from the carriageway.
The M32 in Bristol was closed in both directions between Junction 1 (Stoke Gifford) and Junction 19 (M4) from late on Sunday night.
It was fully reopened at around 5am on Monday.
GWR suspends service on "all key routes"
Great Western Railway said it has suspended service on all key routes due to flooding and fallen trees.
The rail service said it is working hard to reopen the network. Disruption is expected to last until at least end of day on Monday.
Customers are advised not to travel.
In pictures: Storm Bert batters the UK
ICYMI: Moment tractor driver smashes waves through shop windows by driving through flooded town in Storm Bert
This is the shocking moment a tractor driver sends waves of water through shop windows of a flooded town after Storm Bert hit.
The driver can be seen driving through Tenbury Wells, a market town in Worcestershire, which was under several feet of water.
Locals had worked hard to keep the water out, but the tractor's wheels sent large waves out to the side, smashing into the windows of the shops and other businesses.
Commuters warned not to travel on these rails services
Great Western Railway urges people not travel on its services between:
Penzance to London Paddington;
Newport, Bristol Parkway to London Paddington;
Bristol Temple Meads, Swindon, Reading to London Paddington;
Worcester to London Paddington;
Exeter St Davids to Okehampton and Exeter to Barnstaple.
Southern, which runs rail services across the south-east of England, said some services on Monday will be cancelled or revised because of forecast severe weather, including on its London network and the West Coastway between Havant and Southampton.
Greater Anglia and Stansted Express have issues on the following services, which aren't expected to run until 2pm today:
London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport;
London Liverpool Street to Cambridge/Cambridge North;
Stratford to Bishop's Stortford;
Stratford to Meridian Water;
A "very limited train service" will be in operation between Liverpool Street and Harlow Town.
Lots of roads across the country are closed because of flooding including:
- In Staffordshire, the A34 Newcastle Road is closed at Chesterton
- In Northamptonshire, the A5 is closed in both directions between the Towcester turn off and the Milton Keynes turn off
- In Devon, the A358 Marlborough Road is closed at Axminster
- In Somerset, the A431 High Street is closed at Weston
- And lots of roads in Dumfries & Galloway remain closed because of snow including the A702 at Thornhill
Disruption on line between Birmingham and London
West Midlands Railway is warning passengers about problems on its Birmingham New Street to London Euston line due to flooding.
"Due to heavy rain flooding the railway between Birmingham New Street and London Euston fewer trains are able to run," it said in a statement.
"Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised."
It said they expect trains to run as normal from 2:30pm.
Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts in place across UK
In England, there's one severe warning (River Nene at Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks), 164 standard warnings and 211 flood alerts.
In Wales, there are two severe warnings (River Monnow at Forge Road, Osbaston and River Monnow at Skenfrith), 10 standard warnings and 34 flood alerts.
In Scotland there are no severe warnings in place.
