Storm Bert Disrupts Travel and Cuts Power Across the UK and Ireland

Storm Bert unleashed severe weather across the UK and Ireland on Saturday, bringing snow, rain, and strong winds that caused significant disruption. One fatality was reported, as a man in his 60s died when a tree fell on his car on the A34 highway in southern England, according to local police.

In the UK, the storm led to widespread travel chaos. Newcastle Airport in northeast England temporarily halted flights due to snow-covered runways. Scotland experienced severe disruptions to train services, with ScotRail announcing cancellations on social media. The Severn Bridge, a vital connection between Wales and England, was closed due to dangerously high winds. Northern areas saw snow-covered roads and stranded vehicles, with motorists advised to exercise caution.

Jason Kelly, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, described the event as a “multi-hazard” storm, warning of ongoing snow, rain, and strong winds expected throughout the weekend.

Ireland also bore the brunt of the storm, with counties along the west coast, including Cork and Galway, under “status red” rain warnings issued by the Irish Meteorological Service. Flooding rendered roads impassable, with towns like Killybegs in Donegal experiencing rising waters submerging parked vehicles.

The storm caused widespread power outages, leaving 60,000 homes, farms, and businesses without electricity, particularly in Ireland’s west and northwest. Energy provider ESB Networks attributed the outages to high winds and confirmed ongoing efforts to restore service.

With adverse conditions forecast to persist, authorities across both countries are urging caution and continued vigilance as recovery efforts continue.