More rain forecast after Storm Bert hits UK

More rain is due to fall in the coming hours and into Wednesday in southern England and south Wales, where flooding and high winds from Storm Bert have caused major disruption to homes, roads and rail networks.

At least five people have died in the storm that struck much of the UK over the weekend and prompted criticism about a lack of preparation and insufficient warnings.

The severe flood warning for the River Nene in Northamptonshire remains in force with a "danger to life and risk of significant disruption", as a holiday park has been submerged for the third time this year.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said more flooding was likely this week but it should be "less severe" than on Sunday.

At least 300 properties have been flooded across the UK.

Residents of flood-hit areas are being left with major clean-up jobs, with one business owner telling the BBC her store had been devastated.

"Everything's been wiped out this time," said Laura Jones, whose crafts shop in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was hit.

"Business is totally finished, flooding has wiped us out one too many times."

Politicians and residents in south Wales, one of the areas worst hit by the flooding, have criticised what they say is a lack of preparation and insufficient warning from officials.

In Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, locals said lessons had not been learnt from Storm Dennis, which left much of the town under water in 2020.

One resident, Paula, said authorities "promised us the world, and delivered absolutely nothing".

Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council, said he was "amazed" that only a yellow weather warning was put in place.

The Met Office said it would conduct a full assessment of the "forecast and warning system" for Storm Bert as it does for any named storm.

It added the storm was "well forecast" in advance with a number of warnings issued ahead of its arrival.

Natural Resources Wales said the government body would "absolutely" look into complaints about a lack of preparedness.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Senedd member for South Wales Central, said the warnings came too late: "It's just by luck that it wasn't worse than this."

The Environment Agency issued more than 100 warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and nearly 140 flood alerts across England on Monday.

Six flood warnings remain in place in Wales with some residents in south-east Wales being advised to boil their water before using it to avoid contamination.

Scotland has been less affected by floods, with five warnings and alerts in place. But Storm Bert is now tracking eastwards across Scotland, bringing heavy showers and strong winds.

The Highlands had the last remaining weather warning for the storm.

In Northampton, the only area still covered by a severe flood warning, police have warned against all unnecessary travel.

The local fire and rescue service said it was working to evacuate the Billing Aquadrome holiday park, with around 1,000 affected. This is the third time this year the park has flooded.

A 94-year-old woman told the BBC she was able to escape the rising water in her home on Saturday using her stair lift in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

And, in West Yorkshire a father pulled his baby from the window of his car and carried him above his head after the vehicle entered deep flood water.

People used buckets to bail out water from a submerged street in Pontypridd, Wales

This was the scene in a flooded street in Cwmtillery, south Wales, where a combination of mud forced people from their homes

Flooded caravans at Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park near Northampton

Some train operators cancelled services on Monday due to flooded lines.

Great Western Railway, which runs trains between London and south-west England, advised passengers not to travel on any of its routes.

West Midlands Railway warned of severe disruption to some of its routes after flooding in Northamptonshire.

National Rail has warned of disruption across England, Wales and Scotland and advised customers to check their routes before travelling.

Many roads around the UK have been closed in flood-hit areas.

Severe flooding has also prompted school closures, with more than 40 closed across Wales, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire on Monday morning.

Some 57 children were rescued from a school bus near Evesham, Worcestershire, when it became stuck in a flooded ditch. Students were ferried to dry land in a fire service rescue boat.

'I feel a bit empty and numb'

Becky Lyons found her pet shop submerged after Sunday's storm

In Wiltshire, Chippenham town centre was brought to a standstill after the River Avon burst its banks.

Becky Lyons runs a pet shop in the town and said her premises was left under several feet of water: "I feel a bit empty and numb. I've put everything into this shop."

Ben Ruddy, whose fish and chip shop was flooded in Lydney, Gloucestershire, said: "The sandbags did not do a lot. Within a couple of hours the water was over them."

In Worcestershire, police are investigating footage of a tractor being driven through flooded streets which caused bow waves to hit shop windows.

Louise Preston, who owns a pottery shop in Tenbury Wells, said her store's front window was smashed by the water as the tractor drove past.

Five men died over the weekend as a result of the adverse weather.

North Wales Police confirmed a body was found after Brian Perry, a 75 year-old dogwalker, went missing near the River Conwy in Trefriw on Sunday.

Mohammed Wahid, a 34-year-old man whose car hit a wall in the snow in Shipley, West Yorkshire, died on Saturday.

Three other men died in road accidents on Saturday. A man died when his car was hit by a tree on the A34 at Winnall, Hampshire, and another man crashed on the A45 near Flore, Northamptonshire, during rush hour.

A third man, in his 80s, died after driving into a ford in Colne, Lancashire.