Britain remained on alert on Monday after the second major storm of the season hit the country at the weekend, killing at least two people and disrupting road and rail travel.
Hundreds of homes in England and Wales were still battling floodwaters on Monday and several train companies had canceled services after Storm 'Bert' hit Britain with heavy rain and gusts up to up to 130 km/weekend.
Up to 130mm of rain fell in some areas, causing rivers to burst their banks and turn roads into waterways.
An octogenarian died when his car plunged into water at a ford on Saturday in Lancashire, in the northwest of England. A body, believed to be that of a missing dog walker, was found the same day near the River Afon Conwy in north Wales.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed told the House on Monday that further flooding was likely over the coming days as water levels rise in slower-flowing rivers like the Severn and Ouse. However, he added that the Environment Agency was forecasting possible impacts that would be less serious than those seen in recent days.
More than 130 flood alerts remained in force across England, Wales and Scotland as of Monday evening.
A “severe flood” warning — meaning there is danger of life — was issued for the River Nene in Northampton, as water levels continued to rise. Hoping to escape, citizens carrying shopping bags filled with basic necessities waded into the deep water on Monday.
Among the worst affected areas were parts of Wales, where residents of Pontypridd tried to protect their homes by using buckets to dump water over a flood wall and back into the River Taff. Two severe flood warnings issued for the River Monnow in south-east Wales have been downgraded to warning status.
Due to climate change and warming oceans, storms can capture more energy, increasing wind speeds, while a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.
Secretary Reed said the UK government planned to spend £2.4 billion (C$4.22 billion) over the next two years to strengthen flood defenses across the country.
“Climate change will inevitably lead to more severe weather conditions of the type we saw this weekend,” he said Monday.
