Tree Topples Onto Peterborough Homes Amid Storm Bert

A tree was uprooted and fell onto two residences following a yellow warning for strong winds issued by the Met Office due to Storm Bert. The tree, which was taller than the two-storey terraced properties, collapsed onto the houses at Swanspool in Peterborough at approximately 12:00 GMT. Ward Councillor Raja Sabeel Ahmed reported that residents of Ravensthorpe contacted him within minutes of the incident, prompting him to call the city council’s out-of-hours contractors for the tree’s removal. “Luckily, no person was injured and it caused only minor damage to the houses,” he stated. He further noted, “By the time I arrived the contractors were already on the scene.” The tree is scheduled for removal at a later time. Mr Ahmed also mentioned he was informed that the contractors had another fallen tree that required removal. He commented, “It’s a large tree and I’m told the bigger the tree, the bigger the roots, but it’s the wind brought it down.” The Met Office’s yellow warning covers the entire region, from the Norfolk coast to west Northamptonshire, and is in effect between 08:00 and 21:00. Wind gusts are anticipated to be between 45-55mph (70-90km/h), with speeds potentially reaching 60-65mph (95-105km/h) in higher ground or along south-facing coasts.