Firefighters are urging people to stay inside during the storm.
Freshwater Bay in West Wight was hit by strong winds, causing turbulent conditions. Emergency services in the south of England are advising residents to remain indoors as Storm Bert continues to sweep across the country.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) reported on Sunday evening that they were receiving a significant number of calls regarding individuals trapped in vehicles due to floodwaters and properties that were flooding.
The region is currently experiencing yellow wind and rain warnings, resulting in the cancellation of several weekend events due to the adverse weather conditions.
A man in Hampshire tragically lost his life when a car was struck by a falling tree on the A34. While authorities have not confirmed if the incident was directly caused by the storm, it highlights the potential dangers associated with severe weather conditions.
‘Take Action’
The south is currently facing multiple flood warnings. According to a post on Facebook by OFRS, the majority of their crews are currently out in the field, working diligently to provide assistance to those who are in dire need, with a special focus on emergency calls involving potential life risks.
They emphasized the importance of taking immediate action if individuals find themselves at risk of flooding. The message emphasized the importance of avoiding non-essential travel.
Thames Valley Police has received several reports of flooding in Oxfordshire, specifically in Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, and Vale of White Horse.
The police force stated that Hailey Road to Crawley Road in Witney had to be closed on Sunday evening due to flooding.
The Needles, off the Isle of Wight, experienced wind gusts reaching 74.9mph (127.7km/h).
The recorded wind speeds in the UK were the second highest, trailing only behind the 82mph recorded in Capel Curig, a Welsh village.
Severe weather conditions affected the Great Western Railway services between Reading and Basingstoke.
Services into London Waterloo on Southwestern Railway were also affected due to a tree obstructing the railway between Fleet and Farnborough in Hampshire.
According to the Met Office, Sunday experienced unusually warm weather for November, with Brize Norton, Oxfordshire recording a high of 17.8C (64F) before 10:00 GMT.
‘Significant damage’
The impact was severe, causing significant damage to the area.
Harold Hillier Arboretum and Gardens in Hampshire and Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset will be closed over the weekend. The organizers of Wokingham’s Winter Carnival have announced that the event will not take place.
The organizers explained that the strong winds expected this Sunday would prevent them from setting up the stage, running the fairground, and pose a safety risk to the stallholders.
On Saturday, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, shut down the illuminated trail that wound through its picturesque gardens, along with the Christmas market and the newly introduced ice rink.
The attractions will remain closed until 2:00 PM on Sunday. The Banbury Victorian Christmas Market had to be canceled due to strong winds that blew over several stalls overnight.
The organisers stated that despite their best efforts to secure the stalls overnight, the strong winds caused significant damage, rendering it unsafe for the team, traders, and visitors to proceed with the event.
The Banbury Victorian Christmas Market has been canceled due to the damage caused overnight.
The Christmas lights switch on event organized by Banbury Town Council had to be cancelled due to concerns about weather conditions and safety.
According to the statement, the Christmas lights scheme has been newly designed and can be enjoyed from tonight and throughout the festive season.
Cotswold Wildlife Park announced that only individuals with pre-purchased tickets and season tickets would be allowed entry on Sunday. They kindly requested other visitors to delay their visits until the weather conditions improve.
Overnight, hundreds of homes in south Oxfordshire experienced a power outage, primarily affecting those with RG9 postcodes. A tree at Bramley caused a disruption on the railway line between Reading and Basingstoke.
The installation of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge on the A33 Relief Road in Reading has been postponed. Additionally, resurfacing work that was scheduled to take place has also been delayed.
The A33 Relief Road, which was scheduled to close during the construction, will remain open as usual.
Trains on all lines of South Western Railway will be running at reduced speed, which may cause delays and disruptions until midday on Monday.
Services on the Exeter to London Waterloo route will commence and conclude at Basingstoke. Due to safety checks, all services will be commencing later than usual on Sunday and Monday.
The train operator’s services were disrupted due to trees blocking the lines between Reading and Basingstoke, as well as Woking and Farnborough Main.
A spokesperson from Network Rail stated that their teams were able to caution trains in the area while they promptly removed the branches.