STORM Bert has claimed its first victim as 82mph gales and severe travel chaos grip the UK.
A man in his 60s sadly died in Hampshire just before 8.00am this morning after a tree fell on his car.
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Debris strewn around after a tree was ripped from its roots in Wimbledon Common south-west LondonCredit: LNP
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Gale force winds and huge waves batter the seaside town of Aberystwyth in Ceredigion, WalesCredit: LNP
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Motorists stranded in the Cumbrian village of NentheadCredit: Jordan Crosby
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There has been reported disruption at Newcastle Airport this morningCredit: x.com/twopintstwice
The man was driving a black Mercedes E350 on the A34 southbound carriageway, between Kings Worthy and Winnall.
He was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
His family have been informed.
Cops said a second car, a silver Skoda Kodiaq, was also damaged but no other injuries were reported.
It comes as Brits have been warned to stock up on food and water as “multi-hazard event” Storm Bert has seen trains axed, ferries cancelled and roads closed.
Families in Belfast have been “trapped inside” their homes as firefighters pump out flood water, as reported by the BBC.
“The mother of one man I spoke to this morning said her son had woken up and went down to see around two to three feet of water in his home this morning,” a reporter at the scene said.
“The fridge was floating around the kitchen.”
The Met Office has issued seven yellow and two amber weather warnings today as the UK braced for 70mph winds, heavy snow, rain and flooding.
British Gas also warned it is advisable to stock up on food and water as Storm Bert comes into full force.
The company urged: “It’s a good habit to have at least three days’ worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home.
“That’s things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks and extra blankets.”
“You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too,” they added.
Temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling minus 4C across parts of Scotland and minus 1C in eastern England last night.
Today “blizzards” have hit the UK, forcing train companies to scrap services, several major road closures, airport disruption and ferry cancellations.
Storm Bert sparked travel chaos at several major UK airports today including Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, and Heathrow.
Passengers at Newcastle reported operations coming to a stand still as staff deal with snowfall.
Other holidaymakers reported “no flights” are taking off, and there have been reports of seven hour delays on Ryanair trips.
“Temporary halt to Newcastle Airport (NCL) operations aswell, whilst they try and deal with the falling snow. All flights currently holding,” wrote one on social media.
Another said: “Very clearly no flights leaving from @NCLairport anytime soon but they’re still pretending that flight delays are isolated (or not updating people at all).
“Ryanair app says 7hr10m delay to my flight… #Newcastle#StormBert.”
And, the airport’s online departure board confirmed many flights set to depart this morning have been delayed.
And, the 9.30am British Airways service to Heathrow was cancelled.
The live arrival board shows flights diverted to Belfast and Edinburgh.
Meanwhile flights from Amsterdam, Belfast and London have either been diverted to other airports or cancelled completely.
Many journeys are being delayed until at least 11am.
Areas affected by Met Office weather warnings
Newcastle Airport has been contact for comment.
There was also disruption at Leeds Bradford Airport after the runway was forced to close.
A flight to Amsterdam at 10am this morning was cancelled while 10 others from the airport have been delayed.
Arriving flights have also been affected.
The airport posted on social media: “SNOW UPDATE (3) 23/11/24 – the runway is now fully open. The terminal is continuing to operate as normal.
“Thank you for your patience as we work to keep the airport safe for everyone, this is always our priority.”
British Airways has also been forced to ground 36 domestic and European flights to and from London Heathrow today.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, train lines continue to be affected.
There will be speed restrictions on the West Highland Line, Highland Mainline, Stranraer line, Glasgow South Western Line, Far North Line, and West Coast Mainline between Carstairs and the border.
ScotRail has also withdrawn services from Inverness to Elgin, Aberdeen to Inverurie, and Glasgow Queen Street to Oban while trains from Glasgow Central to Carlisle will terminate at Dumfries.
Elsewhere, South Western Rail (SWR) urged passengers to only travel west of Basingstoke if their journeys are essential with longer journey times between Salisbury and Exeter, as well as routes from Bournemouth to Weymouth.
And, TransPennine Express “strongly” advised customers not to travel north of Carlisle today.
Avanti West Coast also warned passengers not to travel north of Preston – including Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
On the roads, National Highways issued a “severe weather alert” as nationwide travel chaos unfolds.
A man tragically died at around 1am this morning after the blue Renault Captur he was driving crashed into a wall in Bradford.
West Yorkshire Police said: “The driver, a 34-year-old man from Bradford, was given emergency treatment but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.”
No other vehicles are thought to have been involved, but the cause of the collision is unclear.
In Yorkshire, the A628 remained closed overnight in both directions between the A616 Hollingworth and the A57 Flouch due to snow.
The A66 Trans-Pennine route was closed between the A6 and the M6 (J40).
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A fallen power line in Stokesley, TeessideCredit: PA
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A snowplows battles against the strong winds and heavy snow showers in the Cumbrian village of NentheadCredit: Jordan Crosby
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Another car stuck in the snow in Nenthead, CumbriaCredit: Jordan Crosby
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Flights have been cancelled at Newcastle Airport, while other planes are being divertedCredit: PA
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Fierce winds, large waves and rain hit Eastbourne this morningCredit: Alamy
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Storm Bert is set to batter the UK with heavy snow, 70mph winds and heavy rainCredit: MET Office
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A winter wonderland in Nenthead, CumbriaCredit: Jordan Crosby
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There are two amber weather alerts in place todayCredit: MET Office
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People trying to shelter from the rain as they go for a punt on the River Cam in CambridgeCredit: Bav Media
The M48 Severn Bridge has also closed in both directions due to current wind speeds, National Highways announced this morning.
Drivers have been advised to seek “alternative routes” including the M60, M62 and M1.
Further south, the A14 is closed in both directions from J36 to J37 as a result of a “serious collision between three cars”.
One of the vehicles is reported to have rolled and there is “no indication” of how long the closure will remain in place.
There is a further warning for the North East in its entirety, with road bosses predicting “three to five hours of heavy snow” which will “accumulate quickly at all levels”.
RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson warned drivers to be aware of “rapidly changing conditions” on the roads because of Storm Bert.
“Persistent downpours will lead to areas of standing water, so it’s important to keep speeds down as the risk of losing control through aquaplaning on a thin layer of water is far greater,” she said.
“Drivers should also be very wary of puddles as they can sometimes hide dangerous potholes beneath that can cause expensive damage to vehicles.
“Strong winds increase the risk of debris falling into the road which makes journeys more challenging, particularly in exposed coastal areas where drivers might be at risk of being buffeted off course.
“Routes in Scotland, especially rural ones, look likely to face disruption from fresh snow that is forecast on Friday and Saturday.
“We encourage motorists to stick to major roads where possible and take extra care in the worst-affected areas.
“Those who have to drive should stay tuned to weather forecasts and allow plenty of time to de-ice and de-mist your vehicle, as it’s dangerous and illegal to drive looking out of a small gap in a frozen windscreen.”
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Sheep braving the snow in Barnard Castle, Teesdale, County DurhamCredit: Alamy
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Chaos in Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow as large vehicles struggle on Hillhead RoadCredit: Roddy Scott
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More scenes in KirkintillochCredit: Roddy Scott
Ferry operator CalMac, which serves the west coast of Scotland, axed several services today in anticipation of travel chaos.
P&O Ferries confirmed the 4am sailing between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland was also scrapped today.
Meanwhile, people have also been urged to “stay well clear” of power lines.
UK Power Networks said: “Our electricity network is built to be resilient but extreme weather can affect overhead power lines.
“We urge the public to stay well clear from power lines, and anyone spotting a damaged power line should report it to us immediately by calling 105.”
And, at least 60,000 homes, farms and businesses have been left without power due to Storm Bert, ESB Networks has said.
“Crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to faults where it is safe to do so,” it said.
“ESB Networks teams are closely monitoring the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources remain on alert.”
Meanwhile, more than 4,000 properties have been left without power across the Midlands, South West England and Wales, according to the National Grid.
“Engineering teams continue to work hard in challenging weather conditions to restore power supplies and support customers, as heavy wind and rain affects parts of our electricity network,” it said on its website.
“As of midday, 4,183 properties are without power, but we have already been able to successfully and safely restore many homes and businesses.”
It comes as the Met Office issued an amber alert for heavy snow and ice is between 7am and 5pm today in parts of Scotland.
Anywhere from 10 to 20cm is likely on ground above 200 metres, and potentially as much as 40cm on hills above 400 metres.
WEATHER WARNINGS
THESE are the latest up-to-date Met Office weather warnings
Yellow weather warnings
Yellow weather warning for wind in place from 5am until 7pm today, stretching from the north east of Scotland all the way down to the east Midlands.
A second yellow weather warning from 5am until 7pm today covering much of Scotland, the Midlands, reaching down as far as Birmingham and northern parts of Wales.
In Northern Ireland a yellow weather warning for rain and snow came into force at midnight and lasts until 11am.
The same alert for rain and snow is in place from 4am until 9am this morning over Scotland, and stretches down to Manchester.
A yellow weather warning for rain is affecting Wales from 6am until 6am tomorrow.
Another rain alert covers the south west coast line from 6am until 11.45pm tomorrow.
A yellow wind warning is also in place along much of the south coast from 9am until 9pm tomorrow.
Amber weather warnings
An amber warning for snow and ice is in force from 7am until 5pm tonight covering areas just north of Dundee, Perth and Stirling in Scotland.
There’s a second amber warning for snow in place from 7am until 12pm that affects southern Scotland and the Midlands.
The weather warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
It has seen Perth and Kinross Council cancel their annual Perth Christmas lights switch-on event for safety reasons.
More than 54 schools were also shut in the Highlands yesterday due to snow, with 27 closures in Aberdeenshire.
South of the border, at least 37 schools were shut in Devon, and three in Dorset.
A second amber warning will be in place between 7am and midday on Saturday covering parts of Yorkshire and the north east of England.
Christmas light switch-ons being held in the Midlands including the Ironbridge lights switch-on, have also been postponed.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: “We’ll see two to four hours of heavy snow across parts of northern England and Scotland during Saturday morning.
“This snow will accumulate thick and fast, with five to 10cm at lower levels and as much as 20 to 40cm over hills accompanied by strong winds.
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Srong winds and heavy rain in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside this morningCredit: NNP
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Snowfall in Windermere Village, South CumbriaCredit: Alamy
“You can expect blizzards over hills across northern England and Scotland, atrocious conditions for travelling and going over the hills and also the risk of power interruptions because of snow build up on power lines.
“So all in all, a multiple hazard event as we go into Saturday morning.”
But, there will be a “rapid thaw” by the afternoon as warmer air arrives from the Atlantic.
This could spark “localised flooding”, where the worse affected areas are predicted to be Wales, and the south west.
Over the weekend, these higher risk areas could see 75mm of rain widely, and potentially more than 100mm over the higher parts of South Wales and Dartmoor.
Rain warnings cover much of Wales from 6am on Saturday until 6am on Sunday, and south-west England from 6am on Saturday until 11.45pm.
Parts of Dartmoor and South Wales could even see up to three months worth of rain over the weekend.
The Environment Agency has also issued 70 flood alerts were flooding is possible and 13 warnings where it is expected.
Flood alerts
THIS morning, they have been issued for:
- Barnstaple, Braunton, Ilfracombe and Combe Martin area
- Bottle Brook in Derbyshire
- Chertsey Bourne
- East coast of Dorset
- Exmoor Rivers
- Ginge Brook
- Helford and Fal Rivers
- Lower Exe area
- Lower River Calder
- Lower River Lune and Conder
- Lower River Ribble and Darwen
- Lower River Tamar
- Lower Taw area
- Lower Torridge area
- Mid Devon Rivers
- Middle Exe area
- Middle River Aire
- Middle River Tamar
- North Cornwall Rivers
- North Dartmoor Rivers
- North Sea coast at Bridlington
- River Arrow in Herefordshire
- River Axe area
- River Calder in east Lancashire
- River Churnet and River Tean
- River Cober
- River Dart area
- River Erewash in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
- River Fowey
- River Gowy and areas around Frodsham
- River Lowstock and River Yarrow
- River Lynher
- River Plym and Tory Brook
- Rivers Clyst and Culm and their tributaries
- Rivers Duddon, Crake and Mill Beck
- Rivers Kent and Bela
- Rivers Looe and Seaton
- Rivers Otter and Sid, and Exmouth area
- River Sow and River Penk
- River Spen and Batley Beck catchments
- Rivers Tavy and Walkham
- River Stour and Smestow Brook in the Black Country and South Staffordshire
- River Teign area
- River Yealm
- South Devon coast from Start Point to Dawlish Warren
- South Devon Rivers
- South East Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches
- South Somerset Rivers, Upper Reaches
- St Austell and Par Rivers
- Tern and Perry
- Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne
- Tributaries in South Derbyshire
- Upper Dove
- Upper River Aire
- Upper River Calder
- Upper River Douglas
- Upper River Irwell catchment with Oldham, Bolton, Rochdale, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall
- Upper River Ribble, Hodder
- Upper River Swale
- Upper River Tamar
- Upper River Ure
- Upper River Wharfe
- Upper River Wyre, Brock
- Upper Teme
- Upper Torridge area
- West Cornwall Rivers
- West Dorset Rivers and Streams
- West Somerset Streams
- Weymouth Rivers and Streams
Flood warnings where flooding is expected
- Poaka Beck, The Yarl, Hagg Gill and Butts Beck at Dalton in Furness including Town Centre, Queen St
- River Calder at Central Todmorden
- River Calder at Hebden Bridge – Mytholm and Hebble End
- River Calder at Todmorden from the Cricket Ground to the Railway Bridge
- River Calder at Todmorden – Patmos Burnley Road
- River Irwell at Bacup
- River Irwell at Irwell Vale
- River Irwell at Strongstry and Chatterton
- River Irwell at Stubbylee Bridge and Stacksteads, riverside properties
- River Irwell at Stubbylee Bridge, Farholme area and Stacksteads, Brandwood Park areas
- Rivers in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle
- Walsden Water at Walsden
- Whitewell Brook at Piercy and Newchurch from Ashworth Road to Wood Lea Road
Meanwhile the southern coast is expected to be battered by gusts of more than 70mph in places.
A wind warning covers coastal areas of southern England from 3pm until 9pm on Saturday.
And, the same alerts also covers Scotland from 5am until 7pm today.
Elsewhere, rain and snow warnings cover northern England from 4am to 9am, and Northern Ireland from midnight on Friday until 11am today.
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Commuters in Sheffield navigating snow on the roads todayCredit: LNP
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Wet and windy conditions on Westminster Bridge in central LondonCredit: George Cracknell Wright
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Drivers struggling through the heavy snow falling in Leeds, Yorkshire, this morningCredit: LNP
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Residents in Barnard Castle, County Durham, awoke to heavy snowfall todayCredit: Alamy
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