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Emergency alert system used for red weather warning

BBC An image of a phone in a hand. On the screen is a message for the red weather warning. BBC
The Cabinet Office issued the Emergency Alert to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West

The UK government has used the emergency alert system to warn people about incoming Storm Darragh.

A rare red weather warning has been issued with extremely strong and damaging winds possible this weekend.

The wind warning - the highest level - is predicting dangerous and potentially life-threatening weather across 13 counties as Storm Darragh arrives.

About three million people across Wales and south-west England received an alert on their mobile phone.

Gusts of 90mph (144 km/h) or more are possible over the coasts and hills of north, west and south Wales and are expected to develop during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Residents in Gwynedd, Conwy, Ceredigion, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Newport received the alert.

Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if they were set on silent. The sound and vibration lasted for about 10 seconds.

It was the largest use of the system outside a test scenario - the last test being in April 2023.

Red is the most serious weather warning the Met Office can issue, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people are urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe.

The alert message on a mobile phone.
The Emergency Alert system sent a message and phones made a loud siren-like sound

Several Christmas events have been cancelled ahead of the storm, with both Cardiff and Swansea winter wonderland attractions shutting their doors to visitors from Friday evening through to Sunday morning.

The Football Association of Wales has also announced all matches in Wales scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled.

Cardiff City's match against Watford and Newport County's game against Carlisle have also been postponed.

The red warning is due to come into effect at 03:00 GMT and remain in force until 11:00.

An amber warning for rain has also been issued between 03:00 and 18:00 on Saturday, with as much as 3.5in (90mm) likely to fall for 14 counties in south and mid Wales.

There is also an amber warning for wind covering the country from 01:00 to 21:00 and a yellow rain warning until noon.

The last red warning in Wales came during Storm Eunice in 2022, which left tens of thousands without power.

The current red wind warning covers Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

Advice to stay home as red weather warning issued

Rhys Williams, of Hughes Forrest builders merchants, has delivered about six tonnes of sand in Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to help people worried about their homes and businesses being flooded again.

"We tried to place an order for hessian sacks but couldn't get them due to demand. We just want to help as many people as we can," he said.

He added people were using pillow cases to create their own sandbags.

"It's a small token of appreciation to say thank you to Ponty."

BBC Wales reporter Craig Duggan advises people to take extreme care amid the rare red weather warning

Merthyr Tydfil council and Rhondda Cynon Taf council said they were offering sandbags, but also encouraged residents to buy their own.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council said: "We understand public concern and we are proactively deploying sandbags to areas at highest risk that were previously flooded in Storm Bert.

"We can only distribute sandbags to those properties that are considered at risk of flooding."

All buses on Saturday in Pembrokeshire have been suspended by the council.

Cardiff's Winter Wonderland with the Ice Skater Sizzler ride seen in the photo
Christmas festivities have been put on hold as Cardiff and Swansea winter wonderland shut their doors ahead of the storm

Which events have been cancelled?

A number of weekend events have already been cancelled ahead of Storm Darragh's arrival.

Planned Christmas celebrations in Aberpennar and Mountain Ash in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Maesteg, Bridgend County Borough are also affected, as well as winter fairs in Raglan, Monmouthshire on Friday and in Bargoed, Caerphilly county, and a reindeer run in Whitchurch, Cardiff.

The Christmas Fair at Llanerchaeron in Ceredigion will close on Saturday but will reopen on Sunday, subject to safety checks - as will the National Botanic Garden of Wales in Carmarthenshire.

Cardigan's Giant Lantern Parade on Friday has also been postponed, along with Wrexham's weekend Christmas events.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said all its visitor centres, woodlands, trails and car parks would be closed on Saturday due to the risk to public safety.

Margam Country Park, in Port Talbot, will be closed on Saturday with Christmas-themed events including the luminated light trail cancelled.

The organisers have said an update for Sunday's opening hours will be provided at 13:00 on Saturday.

Richard Griffiths stood outside his hotel. The Richmond Hotel sign is visible
Hotel owner Richard Griffiths says people have cancelled their bookings because of the storm

Richard Griffiths, the owner of the Richmond Hotel in Aberystwyth, said the hotel was losing out on business because of the storm as people had cancelled their bookings.

"We've heard that the farmers' market for tomorrow has been cancelled. People are fearing the travelling," he said.

Met Office Met Office map of Wales for Storm Darragh Met Office
A Met Office map of how Storm Darragh will affect Wales

First Minister Eluned Morgan urged people to take the weather warnings seriously.

"Red means there is a potential danger to life," she said.

Ms Morgan advised people to only travel if it was "necessary".

Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies warned there may be very significant impacts from Storm Darragh and urged people to take extreme care over the weekend.

He added the government would be monitoring the situation closely.

People have been warned to stay alert for flying debris and falling trees, along with large waves hitting sea fronts, homes and roads.

Power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, the Met Office added, with the M48 Severn Bridge closed in both directions.

The RNLI advised those living near or visiting the Welsh coast to exercise "extreme caution" and Cardiff Airport has said it will be closed from 03:00 to 11:00.

Transport for Wales said train services may be subject to "short notice delays, alterations, and cancellations" and advised people to check their journeys before travelling.

Getty Images A large wave hits a harbourGetty Images
Large waves are expected to batter the coast

What is a red weather warning?

  • A red weather warning is issued when there is a real risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and property/infrastructure.
  • Dangerous weather is expected. Take action now to keep yourself and others safe from its impact.
  • You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

A NRW spokesperson has said the amount of rain expected would be less than that which fell during Storm Bert, which wreaked chaos across Wales late last month.

High winds and heavy rain left thousands of properties without power in the south and west of the country, while swollen rivers caused heavy flooding.

Compounded by melting snow from recent wintery showers, some areas even experienced landslides, with five adults and five children having to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog in Wrexham.

A former coal tip in Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, also collapsed and families had to be evacuated as rivers of deep slurry and debris flowed through the streets.