Met Office and Flood Bosses Criticized by MPs for Storm Bert Chaos in Wales
Bosses from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Met Office faced scrutiny from MPs over their preparedness for Storm Bert, which ravaged Wales between November 22 and 25, 2024, causing extensive disruption. MPs questioned why the weather warning did not escalate to the highest level of red, with one MP labelling the Met Office as “incompetent” and a council leader expressing disappointment over the delayed warnings. Andrew Morgan, the council leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf, revealed that NRW had data on rising river levels over an hour before residents were alerted. The aftermath of Storm Bert saw transportation networks disrupted, roads closed, and properties inundated, particularly in Rhondda Cynon Taf. While fewer homes suffered damage compared to the major flooding in 2020, the storm still left a trail of ruin, from submerged homes to inundated businesses. In Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, a coal tip collapse triggered a landslide, affecting homes and instilling fear among residents. Subsequently, thousands of individuals had to boil their water for days following flooding at the Tynywaun Water Treatment Works near Treherbert. Residents in various areas such as Blaenrhondda, Blaencwm, Tynewydd, Treherbert, and others were advised to continue boiling water for all uses, including drinking, food preparation, and hygiene. Today, the Welsh affairs committee convenes in the Commons at 10 am to examine the adequacy of warnings issued for Storm Bert and the robustness of the weather alert system in safeguarding the public during future extreme weather events. The committee will hear testimonies from key witnesses, including Jeremy Parr, Head of Flood Incident Risk Management at NRW, Simon Brown, Service Director at the Met Office, and Russell Turner, Head of Centre at The Flood Forecasting Centre.
The discussions aim to address whether the warnings provided for Storm Bert were sufficient for individuals to shield themselves from flooding and investigate the effectiveness of the weather warning mechanism in ensuring public safety during forthcoming severe weather occurrences. The session seeks to shed light on the response strategies in place, aiming to identify areas for improvement and enhance disaster preparedness moving forward. The live updates from the hearing will be reported as the committee holds the relevant authorities accountable for their actions during Storm Bert and their roles in managing the crisis aftermath. Stay tuned for further developments as the accountability session unfolds and stakeholders are pressed on their responses to the storm’s impact and the measures in place to prevent a recurrence of similar chaos in the future. Amid the ongoing inquiries, public attention remains focused on the findings of the committee and the responses provided by NRW and the Met Office regarding their handling of Storm Bert and their commitments to mitigating risks in the face of future weather-related challenges. The outcome of the discussions will be crucial in shaping future policies and procedures to enhance the resilience of communities in Wales against the detrimental effects of severe weather incidents like Storm Bert. Stay connected for the latest updates on the accountability session as insights are shared, and actions are proposed to safeguard Wales against future weather-related crises.
In summary, the recent scrutiny faced by NRW and the Met Office over their responses to Storm Bert’s impact underscores the importance of effective disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. As the Welsh affairs committee convenes to deliberate on the handling of the storm and the measures in place to mitigate future risks, the spotlight remains on enhancing resilience and safeguarding communities from the destructive consequences of extreme weather events like Storm Bert. Stay informed as the accountability session unfolds and key insights are shared to strengthen Wales’ readiness in the face of impending weather challenges.