A furious storm, dubbed Bram, unleashed chaos across the UK, transforming landscapes and disrupting lives with relentless wind and torrential rain. Western regions, particularly Wales, bore the brunt of the onslaught, while northern England braced for a soaking as the storm carved a path through the nation.
The impact was immediate and dramatic. In York, streets vanished beneath rising waters, forcing emergency responders to rescue stranded individuals from submerged vehicles. A remarkable image emerged from the Birmingham area – a woman, remarkably composed, smiled as firefighters assisted her from a car stalled in floodwater, a small moment of resilience amidst the turmoil.
Tuesday morning saw the full force of Storm Bram descend, plunging hundreds of homes into darkness. The Met Office issued stark warnings, emphasizing the life-threatening danger posed by fast-flowing, sudden floods. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly, promising treacherous travel until the storm’s departure.
Travel networks buckled under the strain. Train, plane, and bus services faced widespread delays and cancellations, particularly in the hardest-hit areas. In Northern Ireland, cars navigated submerged roads in Carnlough, a visual testament to the storm’s power. Overhead power lines “tripped” near Saltcoats, Scotland, due to crashing waves, halting train service between Kilwinning and Largs/Ardrossan.
Power outages rippled across the country. Over 140 properties in Cornwall, 53 in Devon, and 61 in Dorset were left without electricity. Similar disruptions affected areas of Wales, southwest England, and the Midlands, with dozens of homes impacted in each region.
Thousands of travellers faced disruption as flights were grounded and train journeys postponed. Dublin Airport cancelled 42 flights due to fierce winds, with the possibility of further cancellations looming. Belfast City Airport advised passengers to confirm flight statuses with their airlines.
Rail travel was severely impacted. Network Rail Scotland suspended some services, while lines between Par and Newquay in Cornwall, and Swindon and Bristol Parkway, were closed due to flooding. Services between Abercynon and Aberdare in Wales were also halted, replaced by rail coaches.
The Met Office had issued amber and yellow warnings for strong winds and torrential rain, anticipating widespread flooding of roads and homes. There was a significant risk of communities becoming cut off by impassable roads, and homes and businesses facing inundation.
The storm’s fury extended to Scotland, where an amber wind warning was in place for the Highlands. Gusts of up to 90 mph were possible in exposed areas, with widespread gusts of 50-60 mph, and even 70 mph in some locations. Coastal areas faced the threat of large waves and debris thrown onto seafronts.
Flood warnings and alerts were widespread. On Tuesday morning, 39 flood warnings were in effect in England, 12 in Wales, and 24 in Scotland. Specific areas at risk included the Bristol Avon, the River Derwent near York, and numerous rivers in Devon and Cornwall.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued 24 flood warnings and 13 flood alerts, anticipating flooding in Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, and other regions. Officials urged travellers to “plan ahead” and check with transport operators for updates.
Up to 75mm of rain was forecast to deluge parts of Cornwall and Devon, concentrated within a nine-hour period. An amber warning for Northern Ireland predicted strong winds from the afternoon until 7pm. Yellow wind warnings remained in effect across much of England.
Roads were heavily affected. A section of the M66 in Greater Manchester was closed southbound following flooding and a multi-vehicle crash. The Severn Bridge M48 was briefly closed due to strong winds before reopening, causing significant congestion.
As Storm Bram began to move away, strong winds were expected to persist in northern England, north Wales, and Scotland until Wednesday morning. Gusts of up to 70mph remained possible on high ground before gradually easing. The storm’s name, chosen by Met Eireann, reflects a collaborative effort to categorize and name impactful weather systems.
