A father has rescued his 11-month-old baby after his car was submerged by sudden flooding in West Yorkshire caused by Storm Bert.
Paige Newsome and her partner Andre faced every parent’s worst nightmare after their car became waterlogged in Todmorden, Calderdale.
The mother said Andre had to pull himself out of the car window along with the couple’s 11-month-old baby as water was gushing in during the ‘scary experience.’
She called on Calderdale Council to ‘sort this out asap,’ claiming that they have been notified about the flooded section ‘multiple times’ by residents.
Elsewhere, three men died on the roads in separate incidents while thousands of homes remain without power after 70mph winds battered the UK.
Five children, as well as five adults, were trapped in a landslide in Wales before they were rescued and taken to recover ‘somewhere warm’, but the storm proved deadly elsewhere, with ‘danger to life’ weather warnings still in force.
People are urged to be vigilant of flash floods and power cuts, the Met Office said.
More than 200 flood alerts are in place for England, Wales and Scotland overnight on Saturday and Met Office yellow warnings for rain and wind covering large swathes of the country are in force into Sunday.
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Train is damaged after hitting a tree
The rail network is feeling the brunt of Storm Bert, with fallen trees and debris blocking routes up and down the UK.
A Southeastern train has struck a tree at Leigh.
The train company said: ‘Unfortunately damage has been caused to the train and it is unable to move until staff have attended and inspected.’
Dad pulls baby out of flooded car
A father and his baby had a narrow escape after flash flooding in Todmorden, Calderdale.
The frightening incident happened after flooding submerged a road in the West Yorkshire market town along with the family car.
Paige Newsome said her partner Andre had to ‘to pull himself and our 11-month-old baby out of the car windows, whilst the water was flooding into the car.’
The mum praised Andre for his quick reaction during the ‘scary experience,’ but she called for the council to sort out the alleged flooding hotspots ‘asap.’
She claimed Calderdale Council have been ‘getting notified about this part of Woodhouse Road multiple times by the owners of the house next to where our car is parked.’
Paige added: ‘I cannot thank those owners enough for taking Andre and Luca into their home and helping them.’
Metro approached Calderdale Council for a comment.
Other roads in Todmorden are flooded as water levels rise on local rivers, including River Calder.
Woodhouse Road remains closed
Rochdale Road at Bell Holme, Walsden, is open but it is flooded and is covered in debris
All royal parks will be closed today
The Royal Parks said all of its London parks will be closed today due to ‘severe wind gusts caused by Storm Bert.’
This includes all cafes, kiosks, park roads and cycleway, including at Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and Regent’s Park.
The Changing of the Guard is also cancelled today.
Here is a full list of the closed parks.
Hyde Park
Kensington Gardens
St James’s Park
The Green Park
Greenwich Park
The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill
Richmond Park
Bushy Park
Brompton Cemetery
Storm tracker shows how 70mph winds will batter UK
Storm Bert has landed with a bang as the UK braces itself for winds of up to 70mph during the second day of rough weather.
See below how the storm is forming over the Atlantic Ocean.
Map shows where red flood warnings are in place
Dozens of areas are expected to be hit by flooding after the combination of heavy rain and thawing snow.
The Environment Agency has issued 60 red flood warnings which means flooding is expected in these areas – the highest category – while flooding is possible at 174 other locations.
Here is a full list of locations with red flood alerts.
Brimfield Brook at Orleton and Brimfield
Doniford Stream in the Sampford Mill Farm area
Ginge Brook between Steventon and Sutton Courtenay, including Milton and Drayton Mill areas
Illey Brook at Halesowen
Landford to Wade Bridge on the River Blackwater
Middle Stour from Hammoon to Sturminster Marshall
Midgelden Brook at Bacup Road – Gauxholme
Pearl Brook at Horwich, area close to the river from Bridge Street and Old Station Park to the M61
River Arrow at Kington
River Axe (Lower) from Axminster to Axmouth
River Axe (Upper) from Winsham to Axminster, including Chard Junction and Weycroft
River Bovey at Bovey Tracey and Heathfield
River Brit at Newtown, and Southgate Old Mill, Beaminster
River Brue and Glastonbury Millstream from Lovington to Highbridge, low lying properties
River Calder at Brearley and Luddenden Foot
River Calder at Callis Bridge and Charlestown
River Calder at Central Todmorden
River Calder at Eastwood
River Calder at Hebden Bridge – Mytholm and Hebble End
River Calder at Horbury – The Strands
River Calder at Todmorden from the Cricket Ground to the Railway Bridge
River Calder at Todmorden – Harley Wood
River Calder at Todmorden – Patmos Burnley Road
River Calder from Todmorden to Eastwood
River Clyst from Broadclyst to Clyst St. Mary
River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, including Staverton
River Darwen at Ewood and Waterfall in Blackburn
River Dene at Walton
River Isle at Ashford Mill and Ilford Bridges
River Isle at Ilminster
River Isle from Chard Reservoir to Hambridge not including Ilminster
River Lew at Gribbleford Bridge and Hatherleigh
River Lyd from Sydenham to Lifton
River Okement at Brightley, Jacobstowe and Monkokehampton
River Parrett (upper) from South Perrott to Thorney
River Ribble at Samlesbury, around Brockholes Reserve and Lower Brockholes Quarry
River Ribble at Walton-le-Dale, area from Fishwick Bottoms to Railway Bridge
Rivers in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle
Rivers Stour and Iwerne at Stourpaine
River Stour at Mitford Bridge, Shipston on Stour and Tredington
River Tamar from Greystone Bridge to Cotehele excluding Calstock
River Taw (Middle) from Taw Bridge to Newnham Bridge
River Teign (Lower) from Chudleigh to Kingsteignton
River Teign (Upper) from Clifford Bridge to Chudleigh
River Teme at Stanford Bridge
River Torridge (Lower) from Dolton to Bideford, including Taddiport and Weare Giffard
River Ure at Boroughbridge Camping and Caravanning Site
River Vyrnwy at Maesbrook
River Vyrnwy at Melverley
River Weaver at Shrewbridge Lodge
River Wye from Hay to Hereford
River Yarty from Yarcombe to Axminster
River Yeo at Mudford
River Yeo from Sherborne to Yeovil
Skirden Beck and Kirk Beck at Bolton by Bowland
Upper Frome at Maiden Newton
Upper Frome from Maiden Newton to Dorchester
Walsden Water at Todmorden from Shade to Salford
Walsden Water at Walsden
Water Eaton Brook at Water Eaton
Storm Bert disruption hits railways
Storm Bert has more in store for today as heavy rain, flooding and winds sweep across the UK.
National Rail warned of disruption across the network which is set to affect routes well into Monday, including Sout Western Railway, Northern, Southern, Thameslink, Transport for Wales.
Here are some of the current issues affecting the South Western Railway routes alone.
An obstruction on the track at Weybridge is forcing trains to run slower than usual on all lines, with delays expected at least until 9.30am
A tree is blocking the railways between Cobham and Stoke D’abernon and Oxshott, and trains will be cancelled, delayed or revised until at least 10am
A tree blocks the railway between Basingstoke and Farnborough on the main line so trains running between the stations face cancellations, delays and revisions until at least 10am
A tree on the line between Reading and Basingstoke is blocking all trains at least until 11am today
A tree on the line between Exeter Central and Honito means all lines are blocked, meaning services will be cancelled, delayed or revised until at least 12pm
Widespread flooding expected with dozens of warnings in place
Good morning and welcome back to today’s coverage of Storm Bert.
The violent weather is expected to bring more disruption, with milder temperatures causing the snow which covered the north of England and much of Scotland to melt, leading to flooding in many areas.
Dozens of red flood warnings have been issued in England, meaning flooding is expected and residents and business owners should ‘act now’, according to the Environment Agency (EA).
The Met Office said Storm Bert is likely to cause ‘dangerous coastal conditions’ and disruption across southern England and parts of Wales until 9pm with a yellow wind warning in place.
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Urgent search for dog walker who is feared to have been ‘swept away by floodwater’
A man may have been swept away by floodwater in North Wales as police launch an urgent search.
The dog walker went missing around the River Conwy in Trefriw, with the surrounding field flooded in the heavy rain.
The alarm was raised by a family member shortly after 4pm when the alarm was raised by a family member, the Daily Post reports.
While the dog has been safely located, the man remains missing.
Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team said the melting ice and snow had combined with a high tide to raise water levels.
In pictures: Storm Bert’s trail of destruction across the UK
More than 4,000 properties without power
National Grid,which connects directly to homes in the Midlands, South West England and South Wales, said there were currently 4,345 properties without power.
Northern Powergrid said nearly 27,00 homes across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire have experienced power cuts earlier today.
In Ireland, ESB Networks said 11,000 customers remain without power, predominantly in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway.
More than 50 flood warnings issued in Wales
People living in Wales have been told flooding is ‘imminent’ as 51 alerts have been issued across the nation.
Eight flood warnings are in place at the River Towy, River Cothi, River Tawe, River Severn and River Loughor.
Cape Curig in Gwynedd has seen the most rainfall since Storm Bert hit the UK yesterday, with 64.4mm recorded over the last 12 hours.
Ten people were also rescued from a landslide in Llangollen.
Five children and five adults rescued from landslide
Five adults and five children had to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen in north Wales, following a landslide.
A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said they are all being assessed by ambulance services away from the scene ‘somewhere warm’.
A further landslide has been reported in the area but it is understood no one has been affected.
Over the weekend, Wales is expected to face up to 75mm of rain widely, with 150mm possible in some areas.
Kitesurfer is launched into air by 70mph Storm Bert winds
A brave kitesurfer took to the sea as Storm Bert’s winds hit the UK.
He was lifted high into the air in Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands over the choppy waters.
Winds have measured up to 70mph in coastal areas, as melting snow and heavy rain cause flooding.
This meant the kitesurfer was able to try out some scary jumps over the waves as the wind pulled him along.
Shepherds Bush station flooded as Storm Bert hits London
Shepherds Bush Station has been closed due to flooding.
Transport for London said: ‘The station is currently closed due to flooding.
‘Our emergency response unit will be working as quick as they can to get the station reopened.’
Rain covered London as Storm Bert swept across the UK.
Seven yellow weather warnings are in place today, with eight more tomorrow.
Met Office issues eight weather warnings for tomorrow
The Met Office has issued eight weather warnings for wind and rain tomorrow as Storm Bert sweeps across the UK.
Travel services have been disrupted and three people have been killed as the dangerous weather has brought some areas of the UK to a standstill.
Power outages have also been reported in London while people in Wales have been warned of potential flooding in their homes.
Man dies after crash in Northamptonshire
A man has died after a crash on the A45 in Northamptonshire today.
The drivers of a silver Toyota Corolla and a dark grey Hyundai i30 Active crashed into each other near Flore at 8.45am.
The driver of the Toyota, a man in his 40s, died at the scene.
The road is closed and it is not yet known if the death was caused by Storm Bert.
Newcastle Airport battered by snow
There has been disruption to flights at Newcastle Airport because of heavy snow caused by Storm Bert.
Tim Harding, 53, and his wife, Chona, 58, were due to fly at 9.15am with Dutch airline KLM to Amsterdam from Newcastle before flying with Delta airlines to Orlando, Florida, to meet their family in the US for Thanksgiving.
Tim said: ‘Going to the airport… it was sleeting all the way through then all of a sudden it started coming down.
‘There were about four or five snow ploughs on the runway and they just couldn’t clear it. It was windy and it was literally coming down really quick, so hard. In the space of two hours, it went from nothing to decimated.
‘The gritters were out continuously, the ploughs were out continuously, but it just wasn’t having an impact unfortunately.
‘I was surprised how quickly it came down and how much came down in a two-hour period. I haven’t seen that for a long time.’
Man dies after car crashes into wall
A man has died in West Yorkshire after a car crashed into a wall during the early hours of this morning.
Police attended to the incident at just before 1am this morning in Shipley.
A blue Renault Captur, which had been travelling northeast towards Saltaire, collided with a wall.
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.’
The cause of the crash is unclear and police did not confirm if it is linked to Storm Bert.
Neighbours in the area described hearing a ‘loud crash’ and seeing a car that had ‘spun off the road’.
People in Wales face flooding
There has been 64.4mm of rainfall recorded in one area of Wales over the last 24 hours leading to flooding of areas.
Capel Curig in Gwynedd had seen the most rain since Storm Bert hit yesterday.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a series of flood warnings and alerts across the country, with several bridges and roads closed.
Wales is expected to face up to 75mm of rain, with 150mm possible in some areas.
There have been gusts of 70mph in some coastal areas.