Storm Darragh latest: Millions sent rare ‘risk to life’ emergency alert on mobile phones – and told ‘stay indoors and don’t drive’
Key points
- ‘Nasty’ Storm Darragh hits UK – as 90mph winds expectedGovernment sends ‘risk to life’ alert to millions of phonesRed, amber and yellow weather warnings issuedDozens of flood warnings also in placeFlights delayed as airlines warn of further disruption Welsh FA postpones all football matches tomorrowLive reporting by Brad Young
20:20:33 Have you been affected by the storm?
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20:07:01 Starmer issues message over storm
The prime minister says the government is working with local leaders and agencies to keep residents safe.
Posting on X, Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “A red warning is in place for parts of the country due to Storm Darragh.
“The UK Emergency Alert System has issued advice through mobile phones in the areas affected.
“We are working with local leaders and agencies on the ground to keep you safe.”
19:47:01 Welsh Rugby Union postpones all community fixtures
The Welsh Rugby Union has postponed all community rugby fixtures across all ages scheduled for tomorrow.
The postponement also applies to Super Rygbi Cymru Round 10 fixtures, which will now be rescheduled.
The decision was made “in the interests of safety for our clubs, officials, players and spectators”, the union said.
National Cup fixtures scheduled for this weekend will be rearranged for 14 December.
19:27:59 Christmas events cancelled across country
Festive events have been cancelled across the country.
Winter Wonderland and Christmas at Kew Gardens are the latest to shut tomorrow as a result of Storm Darragh.
Windsor Great Park’s light show has been cancelled, with all Royal Parks closing tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth Christmas Market said it was “absolutely gutted” to have to close over the weekend.
Exeter’s Winter Wonderland will close all attractions apart from its ice rink and Santa’s Grotto.
Banbury Lantern Parade has been postponed to 14 December after a “tough decision”.
Plymouth’s Christmas market will not be operating tomorrow for safety reasons.
Brighton’s Winter Fayre has been forced to close over the weekend.
19:14:54 19:11:26 ‘Stay indoors and don’t drive’: Warning sent to millions
The Cabinet Office has sent an emergency alert to three million people expected to be impacted by a red weather warning early tomorrow morning.
It has advised residents to stay indoors if possible and said it is unsafe to drive from 3am.
People should also consider gathering together “torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items” already in their homes, it said.
The text reads: “A RED warning for wind has been issued in your area. Extremely strong winds associated with Storm Darragh are expected to cause significant disruption.”
It continues: “Strong winds can cause flying debris, falling trees and large waves around coastal areas, all of which can present a danger to life.”
18:45:00 Government sends ‘risk to life’ alert to millions of phones
The government is sending a rare “risk to life” alert to three million people after a red weather warning was issued for wind tomorrow.
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said the UK’s Emergency Alert System is only used when there is a “potential risk to life”.
The alert, set to arrive any moment now, will trigger a sound “much louder than a normal text message”.
“Your phone will make a loud noise and flash until you turn it off,” she said.
The red warning, the most serious the Met Office can issue, is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday and mostly affects the coast of Wales, as well as parts of the southwest of England.
PA reports residents in the following areas will receive the alert:
- DevonBathNorth East SomersetCity of BristolNorth SomersetSouth Gloucestershire SomersetIsle of AngleseyGwyneddConwyCeredigionPembrokeshireCarmarthenshireSwanseaNeath Port TalbotBridgendVale of GlamorganCardiffMonmouthshireNewport
This will be the largest use of the warning system outside a test scenario – the last test being in April 2023.
18:36:01 Flights delayed as airlines warn of further potential disruption
Jet2 has delayed some of its flights tomorrow as a result of the storm.
The airline said it “had to take the difficult decision” due to the red weather alert issued by the Met Office.
Certain flights will be delayed at Belfast International, Bristol Airport and Liverpool Airport.
They include:
Belfast International departures and arrivals
- LS377 Belfast – Tenerife SouthLS307 Belfast – Fuerteventura LS315 Belfast – Lanzarote (Arrecife)LS378 Tenerife South – BelfastLS308 Fuerteventura – BelfastLS316 Lanzarote (Arrecife) – Belfast
Bristol Airport departures and arrivals
- LS1893 Bristol – Tenerife SouthLS1827 Bristol – FuerteventuraLS1891 Bristol – Tenerife SouthLS1801 Bristol – Lanzarote (Arrecife)LS1894 Tenerife South – BristolLS1828 Fuerteventura – BristolLS1892 Tenerife South – BristolLS1802 Lanzarote (Arrecife) – Bristol
Liverpool Airport
- LS3283 Liverpool – Tenerife SouthLS3284 Tenerife South – Liverpool
Meanwhile, Ryanair has warned of “potential disruption” today.
“Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling to/from the UK on Fri 06 Dec should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight,” read a notice on its website.
“We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by Storm Darragh, which is outside of Ryanair’s control.”
18:21:01 In pictures: Ireland bracing for Storm Darragh
Ireland is bracing for Storm Darragh tonight, with seven counties subject to red wind warnings.
Airports have warned of potential disruption, and some ferries have already been cancelled.
Authorities on both sides of the border have been making preparations ahead of the worst of the storm making landfall.
In Dublin, some people have already started feeling the effects of the fourth named storm of the season…
18:08:12 Safari park closes its doors due to safety concerns
Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire has said it will be closed tomorrow due to safety concerns caused by the storm.
In a post on X, it said: “We are sorry but due to the weather forecast, we have taken the decision to close on Saturday 7 December to ensure you are kept safe.
“We know this will be disappointing and we will be contacting you shortly by email to outline alternatives for you to consider.”
It said customers who have booked a ticket will be refunded automatically within the next 10 working days.