Storm Bert

This article is by Sienna Mahoney, a Journalism student at the University of Northampton.

Storm Bert recently covered most of the UK in rainfall, with places like Northampton being the most affected.

The storm started at low pressure in the mid-Atlantic, making its way to the UK on November 25, 2024. According to the BBC, Storm Bert took at least five lives through traffic accidents, flooding, and other disasters caused as a result.

The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, said:

“Around 28,000 properties have been protected by Environment Agency flood defences.
Unfortunately, an estimated 107 properties have flooded across England, principally from river and surface water flooding.”

Some of the environmental impacts that Bert had were, of course, flooding, the erosion of rivers across England and Wales, causing them to burst their banks, and mud slides. The River Nene burst its bank which led to the flooding of Northampton railway station, causing many disruptions for people nationally.
The Billing Aquadrome also flooded, causing those that lived there to be evacuated. Steve Reed continued:

“This is the fourth time the aquadrome has been flooded in recent years, and I would like to thank local responders for their swift actions to protect those most at risk."

The flooding disrupted local ecosystems that reside within the river and areas surrounding the river. £2.4 billion is being put in place to build and maintain flood defences across England and Wales.

“Climate change will inevitably lead to more severe weather of the kind we have seen this weekend.”

said Steve Reed. With the money being put in place, this can help to eliminate some of the consequences has on our environment.