The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning as Storm Goretti brings ‘danger to life’ conditions to Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, with emergency alerts sent to half a million phones
The Met Office has sent out its highest level of weather warning to half a million UK mobiles as fears mount over Storm Goretti.
Warnings have been issued that potent winds in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly could cause significant damage to buildings and homes, send debris flying and knock out power lines this evening, posing a “danger to life”.
On Thursday, the Met Office characterised Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, as a “multi-hazard event“, expected to be more powerful than both Storm Ciarán in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987. The storm is an example of a “weather bomb”, an informal term for a low pressure system that can generate violent winds around it.
This rare red warning comes into effect at 16:00 and lasts until 23:00. , with forecasters predicting severe disruption to travel and power cuts affecting other services such as mobile phones.
The public are now being urged to stay indoors, avoid coastal areas, and take measures to protect themselves. A red weather warning is the most serious alert issued by the Met Office and is only given in the most extreme circumstances, reports the Mirror.
A spokesperson for 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 8th January.
“In light of the damaging winds and associated disruption, the Cabinet Office is issuing two Emergency Alerts to people in affected areas. The first was sent at approximately 15:00 hrs on Thursday 8th January to people in the Isles of Scilly. The second will be sent at approximately 17:00 hrs on Thursday 8th January to people in Cornwall.
“The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe.
Compatible mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
The UK Government has well rehearsed plans in place for severe winter weather and is working with teams from local authorities, the emergency services, and other public bodies to coordinate the response to any disruption.”