Storm Claudia has caused widespread disruption and severe flooding across Britain and Ireland, leading to the declaration of major incidents in multiple regions. As of Saturday morning, significant risks to life and communities were reported, particularly in Monmouth, South Wales, where emergency services initiated large-scale operations involving welfare checks, evacuations, and rescues. Natural Resources Wales issued four severe flood warnings for sections of the River Monnow and River Wye, indicating expected severe flooding of homes and businesses with deep, fast-flowing water.

The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident in Monmouth at 1:30 am on Saturday after experiencing “severe and widespread” flooding across the town and surrounding communities. Crews from various emergency services, including Gwent police, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS University Trust, Severn Area Rescue Association, Mountain Rescue, the Coastguard, and neighbouring fire and rescue services, worked tirelessly in challenging conditions marked by fast-moving water, blocked roads, and pressure on infrastructure. The Welsh Government acknowledged significant flooding affecting homes, businesses, transport, and energy infrastructure, urging the public to follow official advice from NRW and emergency services, and to avoid the Monmouth area completely to keep routes clear. Eight flood warnings and 39 flood alerts were active across Wales on Saturday morning.

Greater Manchester was also among the areas of the UK battered by long, heavy downpours and strong winds on Friday, November 14. Two flood alerts remained active in Greater Manchester on Saturday, November 15, for the 'Middle River Mersey catchment' (including areas near Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham, Urmston, Stretford, Gatley, Cheadle Hulme, and Cheadle) and the 'River Mersey Uplands catchment' (including Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, Stalybridge, Glossop, Saddleworth, Mossley, New Mills, Hazel Grove, Marple, Romiley, and Hyde). While a flood warning previously issued for the Cheadle Wood and Ford Lane area of Stockport was removed, residents in affected areas were advised to 'be prepared' as flooding remained possible in low-lying land and roads.

The storm's intensity caused significant physical damage and transport chaos in the Greater Manchester area. In Mossley, Tameside, a huge Elm tree rooted in Milton St John's Primary school grounds toppled onto a house on Vernon Street late on Friday, November 14, puncturing its roof and causing the gable wall to lean, necessitating the evacuation of three occupants. The road, Mill Lane, remained closed due to the tree. Similar incidents of fallen trees affecting terraced houses were reported in Edgeley, Stockport. Infrastructure damage extended to Oldham, where parts of a shopping centre and the town's bus station roof were damaged.

Transport networks faced extensive disruptions across the region. The Manchester Airport Relief Road (A555) was closed in both directions between the Bramhall Oil Terminal junction and the A34 at Handforth due to deep floodwater. Browns Lane in Wilmslow was also closed due to a fallen tree. Rail services were severely impacted, with suspensions between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport (due to a fallen tree on the line), and between Stoke-on-Trent and Stockport (due to overhead line problems). Metrolink services between Whitefield and Bury were also halted for similar reasons. Roadside assistance companies reported a busy day with a high number of callouts on Friday. In Ireland, power outages affected numerous businesses and homes, with a status orange rain warning in place for counties Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow until 8 am, and a status yellow warning for 10 other counties, mostly along the east and south coasts.

Looking ahead, Britain and Ireland are bracing for a significant change in weather. While patchy rain and drizzle will continue across England and Wales on Saturday, Northern Ireland and Scotland can expect drier, brighter conditions with some sunny spells. From Saturday night and throughout Sunday, winds are set to shift northerly, introducing