Mammoth Storm Bert cleanup begins with homeowners wading through knee-deep sludge after 75mph wind & floods left 5 dead
A MAMMOTH Storm Bert cleanup has begun with homeowners wading through knee-deep sludge after 75mph gales and floods that left five dead.
Communities continued to be battered on Monday morning as extreme weather conditions raged on - leaving some towns underneath landslides.
Families were this morning evacuated from their homes after a huge landslide flooded roads in the Cwmtillery area of Abertillery, Wales.
The former mining town is deep in sludge and mud after water poured through the streets.
Cars and have been blocked in and huge mounds of dirt are blocking access to residents - with workers desperately trying to clear them.
The Welsh Government has now said that Blaenau Gwent Borough Council confirmed the landslip was a "singular wash-out of a former coal tip in the area".
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Luc Robertson, who lives nearby, said: "We just didn't expect it, we haven't prepared for it or anything, but obviously we're just glad that nobody's injured.
"There was a small [slip] a couple of years ago but it was nothing on this scale.
"All the debris, that's what's caused the carnage, it's going to be a massive clean-up."
He added that he and his partner had been lucky, avoiding the worst of the landslip.
Luc said: "It took a garage out, I think, at the top [of the hill] the force of the water zooming by, it's just lucky no one was hurt."
A clean-up operation is also underway in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, after rivers burst their banks.
The nearby Kyre Brook swept away a brick wall before coursing down the town's main street.
Rescuers were heard shouting "get back" as locals scrambled to dodge the surging waters.
Louise Preston, 20, who co-owns pottery shop Pitter Potter with her mum, said: "People are banding together really, really well.
"Our business, personally, has not suffered anywhere near as badly as it could have done."
She said the business had lost a window, adding: "What has been really heart-warming to see is the community spirit.
"We've had police support officers down, the firemen were marvellous yesterday, Tesco has been giving people free cleaning materials, the cafes - who themselves have suffered - have been donating free tea and coffee to everybody.
"As a town we seem to be coping quite well."
More than 160 red flood warnings were in force across the UK today along with 211 amber flood alerts.
The warnings covered a vast swathe of England including the south west, the Midlands and parts of Yorkshire and the north west.
It comes as several major train lines and roads remain closed as the storm ripped trees from the roots, with a full list in the box below.
Great Western Railway said: "GWR has suspended train services on all key routes after flooding and fallen trees have blocked access at key locations on the Great Western network.
"We're sorry for the disruption to journeys. Network Rail and GWR teams are working hard across the network and will carry out inspections to reopen lines as quickly as possible.
"Disruption is expected to last until at least the end of the day on Monday.
"Customers are advised not to travel and check for the latest updates and GWR.com."
A rare severe flood warning was also issued for the River Dene in Northamptonshire - with a major incident now having been declared.
Deep and fast-flowing flood water was expected immediately - posing a "danger to life".
Northants Police said they are still receiving "very high call volumes" relating to the storm and urged people not to travel.
The force said: "While the flooding remains ongoing, please avoid all unnecessary travel & do not drive through floodwater of any depth - it is not worth the risk."
West Mids fire crews also issued a warning to anyone driving in stormy conditions.
It comes after they had to rescue drivers when two "serious" crashes happened on the same Birmingham road just hours apart.
The vehicles involved were left smashed to pieces with one suspended in mid-air.
In full: train cancellations and road closures
Trains
- Between Broxbourne and Stansted Airport/Audley End: Owing to multiple fallen trees damaging electrical overhead wire, trains are currently not running between these stations
- Between Reading and Plymouth: Flooding, caused by heavy rain, has resulted in the closure of the line in several places
- Between London Paddington and South Wales: Train services are subject to severe disruption due to flooding
- Between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth: Heavy rain has flooded the railway and trains are unable to run between Newton Abbot and Plymouth
- Between Swindon and Bristol Parkway/Bath Spa: Heavy rain has flooded the railway here and the line has been closed for safety reasons
- Between Gloucester and Bristol Parkway: A fault with the signalling system means all lines between the two stations are closed. Trains running through the area will be delayed
- Between Liskeard and Looe: Heavy rain has flooded the railway, closing all lines
- Between Plymouth and Gunnislake: Heavy rain has also flooded the railway, closing all lines
West Midlands Railway says that "due to flooding in Northampton, services across the Birmingham - Northampton - London Euston route and Crewe - Rugby - London Euston between are subject to severe disruption this morning".
Roads
- The A5 in Northamptonshire is closed in both directions between the A43 (Towcester) and A422/A508 (Old Stratford)
- The A66 between North Yorkshire and Cumbria is closed to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles in both directions
- The M32 in Bristol is closed in both directions between J1 near Hambrook and M4 J19
West Midlands Fire Service said: "Please, please be careful out there on the roads especially with this current weather theme … stay safe."
Locals should evacuate to avoid the flood water and call 999 if they are stuck.
Another two severe flood warnings were in place for the River Monnow in south east Wales.
There were 21 red flood warnings in place throughout Wales, as well as 36 amber flood alerts.
Storm Bert will unleash winds of up to 70mph along the coast before slipping back into the sea.
Some transport delays are likely along with brief power cuts and big waves on the seafront.
It comes after Storm Bert's gales and floods took at least five lives over the weekend.
The ferocious storm tragically claimed its first life on Saturday after a tree fell on a car.
A man in his 60s was confirmed dead at the scene in Hampshire just before 8am.
Meanwhile, a body was found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday.
Perry went missing while walking his dog near Trefriw yesterday as flood waters caused by Storm Bert rose.
Another man died after his car entered water at a ford in Colne, Lancashire, on Saturday afternoon.
The man, in his 80s, was taken to hospital where he later died, Lancashire Police said in a statement yesterday.
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Mohammed Wahid, 34, was killed when car hit a wall in the heavy snow in Shipley, West Yorkshire, just before 1pm on Saturday.
And a man in his 40s died on the A45 near Flore, Northamptonshire - bringing the death toll to at least five.
What to do before or during a flood
Source: gov.uk
If your area has a flood warning (when flooding is expected) or severe flood warning (when there’s a danger to life):
- turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies, if it’s safe to do so - do not touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water
- move your family, vehicles, pets and important items to safety, for example upstairs or to higher ground
- if you have them, use flood protection products, for example flood barriers or air brick covers
- follow advice from your local council or the emergency services - you may be asked to evacuate
You can get further advice on what to do and how to stay safe during a flood from the National Flood Forum or the British Red Cross.
You can also speak to a Floodline adviser.
Floodline
Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
24-hour service
Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Do not walk or drive through flood water. Flood water may contain sewage and hide rubbish, wreckage, uneven roads and pavements or broken drain and manhole covers.
To report:
- an electrical hazard or power cut, contact your local electricity company or call 105 (calls are free)
- a gas leak, contact National Gas
- an overflowing sewer, contact your water company
You may need a permit to pump water out of a property. If you want to pump the water into:
- rivers, ditches or watercourses (for example a brook or mill stream), check with your local Environment Agency office
- public sewers, check with your water company
- street drains, highways of highway ditches, check with the local highways authority or National Highways
You can ask your local fire brigade for help pumping out water. They might charge a fee and can help you get a permit.