Hundreds of flood warnings and alerts remain in force after torrential rain and strong winds from Storm Bert caused significant disruption to homes, roads and rail networks.

At least three people died as the storm brought heavy rain, wind and snow over the weekend. Nearly a month’s worth of rain fell in parts of south Wales and south-west England.

Several train operators canceled services on Monday and Welsh Water issued a “boil water” notice to customers in 10 areas, warning them that tap water could be contaminated.

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

A major clean-up operation is underway in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where residents said lessons had not been learned from Storm Dennis, which left much of the town underwater in 2020.

Residents in flood-hit areas across much of the UK have found themselves facing major clean-up work, with one business owner telling the BBC his shop had been devastated.

“This time everything has been destroyed,” said Laura Jones, whose craft store in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, was hit.

“Business is totally over, the floods have wiped us out one time too many.”

She added that she and her husband now “live hour by hour.”

THE The Environment Agency has issued more than 120 warnings – meaning flooding is expected – and almost 150 flood alerts across England on Monday, with a severe “danger to life” warning in place near the River Nene in Northampton.

Police warned against unnecessary travel and asked people “not to walk through floodwaters, no matter how deep”.

Multiple warnings and alerts are also in place across Waleswhich experienced severe disruption after devastating flooding over the weekend.

Some people in South East Wales have been advised to boil their water before using it to avoid contamination.

In a review published onWelsh Water has warned its customers not to drink tap water, use it to prepare food, brush teeth or prepare baby food without first boiling it.

But tap water can be used to flush toilets and for washing or bathing, the company said.

Customers in 10 areas of the Rhondda Cynon Taf region are affected.

Scotland has been less affected by flooding, with five warnings and alerts in place. None have been issued in Northern Ireland.

But Storm Bert is now centered over the north-west of the UK and is forecast to track eastwards across Scotland throughout Monday, bringing heavy showers and strong winds. A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued.

Blocked and flooded train lines led some train operators to cancel services in several areas on Monday.

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

It said it had suspended services on all main roads after flooding and fallen trees blocked access to key locations.

The West Midlands Railway is to warn of serious disruption to some of its routes after flooding in Northamptonshire.

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

Drivers can also expect disruption as many roads across the UK have been closed in flood-affected areas.

Severe flooding also led to the closure of dozens of schools.

At least 30 schools were closed in Wales on Monday, more than a dozen were closed in Wiltshire and seven had to close in Oxfordshire.

Some 57 children were rescued from a coach taking them to school near Evesham, Worcestershire, when it became stuck in a flooded ditch.

The students were transported to the mainland aboard a fire rescue boat. The school principal said all children were safe.

In Wiltshire, the town center of Chippenham was paralyzed after the River Avon overflowed.

Becky Lyons, who runs a pet store in the town, said she felt “numb” after her premises was left under several meters of water.

“It’s reached my storage area, so the stock is all ready for Christmas,” she told the BBC.

“I feel a little empty and numb. I put everything into this store.”

Ben Ruddy, whose fish and chip shop was flooded in Lydney, Gloucestershire, said he had “never seen anything like it before”.

“The sandbags didn’t do much,” he said. “After a few hours, the water covered them.

“It’s horrible. Hopefully it’s just a lot of cleaning that’s needed.”

In Worcestershire, police are investigating footage of a tractor driving through flooded streets, causing bow waves to hit shop windows.

Louise Preston, owner of a pottery workshop in Tenbury Wells, said her shop window was smashed by water when the tractor passed.

She added that the bow wave also destroyed the windows of other stores, calling it “devastating for the city.”

West Mercia Police said they were “aware of the videos circulating on social media” and were investigating.

West Midlands firefighters had warned people against driving through floodwaters on Sunday.

In the aftermath of Storm Bert, some people in south Wales expressed anger at what they said was a lack of preparedness.

Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said he was “surprised” that only a yellow weather warning had been put in place, saying an orange warning was expected.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru Senedd member for South Wales Central, said the warnings came far too late, telling the BBC: “It’s just luck it wasn’t worse this time.”

The Met Office said it would carry out a full assessment, but the storm had been “well predicted” in advance with a number of warnings issued.

Natural Resources Wales said the government body would “absolutely” look into the complaints.