UK floods latest: Major travel disruption as Storm Bert leaves more than 150 flood warnings in place

Tens of thousands of airline passengers are out of position after hundreds of flights were cancelled and diverted on Sunday.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, at least 388 UK flights were cancelled on Sunday. In addition, London Gatwick and Heathrow both saw large numbers of “go-arounds” (when pilots decide to abort their landing) and subsequent diversions.

London Heathrow was hardest hit, with at least 234 cancellations – most of them on British Airways, which has over half the slots at the UK’s biggest airport.

London City airport was effectively closed to many arrivals during the afternoon and evening. A spokesperson for BA said: “To comply with air traffic restrictions imposed on us due to adverse winter weather conditions caused by Storm Bert, we have had to reduce our schedule at London Heathrow and London City Airport.

“We’re sorry that some of our customers’ journeys have been disrupted as a result of these restrictions and we’re offering them rebooking or refund options.”

Almost all flights are operating as normal; some overnight long-haul arrivals are late because the outbound flights were delayed, and odd short-haul departures such as SAS to Stockholm are cancelled because the aircraft could not get in on Sunday night.

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.

The A66 between North Yorkshire and Cumbria was closed to high-sided and other vulnerable vehicles in both directions between the A1M (Scotch Corner) and the M6 due to strong winds, but the restriction was lifted at around 6.30am.

Great Western Railway said it has suspended services on “all key routes” due to flooding and fallen trees.

The operator’s network runs between London Paddington and both south-west England and south Wales.

It 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.”

These images show the extreme weather Storm Bert is bringing across the UK.

The named storm has brought nearly a month’s worth of rainfall in less than 48 hours, with winds of up to 82mph recorded.

The government has updated its flood checking service to see where is most at risk across the UK.

There are currently 160 flood warnings in place, with one marked as severe and posing danger to life. This is at the River Nene at the Billing Aquadrome and nearby business parks.

Those living in areas marked with flood warnings are advised to act now to protect themselves. Those in areas where there are flood alerts are advised to be prepared.

For the full list of flood warnings and alerts, and government advice, you can use their flood checking service.

A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing in floodwater as Storm Bert brought nearly a month’s worth of rain in less than 48 hours and winds of up to 82mph.

Hundreds of flood alerts and five weather warnings were still in place across the UK on Sunday afternoon, as the second named storm of the season continued to cause disruption, including travel chaos.

On Sunday afternoon, North Wales Police said a body had been found in the area of Gower Road, Trefiw, in north-west Wales near the Afon Conwy river, where 75-year-old Brian Perry went missing on Saturday while walking his dog. The body has not been formally identified, but Mr Perry’s family has been informed.

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Prime minister Keir Starmer thanked the emergency service personnels, who he said were “working tirelessly to protect communities”, as Storm Bert left a trail of destruction.

“... my thoughts are with those impacted,” he said in a post on X.

“I’m receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK.”

Rail passengers have been urged not to travel between Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, and Stansted Airport lines after multiple fallen trees damaged the electrical overhead wires.

Major disruption is expected until 2pm today, according to reports.

Southern, which runs rail services across the south-east of England, said some services will be cancelled today or revised because of forecast severe weather, including on its London network and the West Coastway between Havant and Southampton.

Services across other rail companies could start later than normal as tracks that were flooded or hit by fallen trees are inspected.

A major incident has been declared in South Wales after dozens of homes, businesses and a number of schools were affected by flooding during Storm Bert.

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, South Wales Fire and Rescue, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and South Wales Police have declared a major incident for the borough.

Meanwhile, a body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police said.

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