The Met Office has issued its highest-level weather alert to around 500,000 mobile phones in the UK due to concerns over Storm Goretti.
Authorities caution that strong winds in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are expected to cause structural damage to buildings and homes, scatter debris, and potentially knock down power lines tonight, posing a significant risk to life.
Describing Goretti as a “multi-hazard event,” the Met Office labeled it the first named storm of 2026, projected to be more potent than Storm Ciarán in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987. This storm, known as a “weather bomb,” signifies a low-pressure system with intense winds in its vicinity.
The rare red warning will be in effect from 16:00 to 23:00, with disruptions anticipated in travel services and potential power outages affecting mobile phone networks.
The public is strongly advised to stay indoors, steer clear of coastal areas, and take necessary precautions for personal safety. A red weather warning from the Met Office signifies the most extreme weather conditions warranting such an alert.
A spokesperson from the Cabinet Office stated, “The Met Office has issued a red warning for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall from 16:00 hrs until 23:00 hrs on Thursday, January 8th.
“To address the destructive winds and anticipated disruptions, the Cabinet Office is issuing two Emergency Alerts to residents in the affected regions. The initial alert was dispatched around 15:00 hrs on Thursday, January 8th, to individuals in the Isles of Scilly. The second alert will be sent around 17:00 hrs on Thursday, January 8th, to residents in Cornwall.
“The Emergency Alert system will provide critical information about the red warning and safety guidelines to all compatible mobile phones in the impacted areas. Even if set on silent mode, compatible phones will emit a loud siren-like sound and vibration for approximately 10 seconds. The UK Government has well-prepared strategies for severe winter weather and is collaborating with local authorities, emergency services, and other public entities to manage any disruptions.”
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