The Met Office issued a rare red warning as Storm Goretti to batter the country.
Storm Goretti is to hit the UK. (Image: GETTY)
Emergency alerts that will send sounds blaring from Brits’ mobile phones have been issued to people in the areas most at risk from Storm Goretti. The Cabinet Office will issue two of the warnings, affecting around half a million people. This marks the fifth time emergency alerts have been used in this way.
It comes as the Met Office has issued a rare red warning for “dangerous, stormy” winds for South West England, with Storm Goretti set to bring 100mph gusts. The warning, from 4pm until 11pm on Thursday, says “violent gusts””over two to three hours will hit parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The Met Office issued a red weather warning for Cornwall. (Image: Getty Images)
People should expect damage to buildings and homes, very large waves, flying debris resulting in danger to life, power cuts and public transport cancellations.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “The Met Office has issued a red warning for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall from 4pm until 11pm on Thursday January 8.
“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 3pm on Thursday January 8 to people in the Isles of Scilly. The second will be sent at approximately 5pm on Thursday January 8 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.”
