The UK’s Met Office has issued an extreme weather alert to about 500,000 mobile devices in anticipation of Storm Goretti.
The forecast indicates that powerful winds in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly could cause structural damage, flying debris, and disrupt power lines, posing a risk to life this evening.
Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, has been characterized by the Met Office as a “multi-hazard event” expected to surpass the intensity of previous storms like Ciarán in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987. This storm is classified as a “weather bomb,” denoting a low-pressure system with violent winds.
A rare red warning has been activated from 16:00 to 23:00, with significant disruptions to travel anticipated and the likelihood of power outages affecting mobile services.
The public is strongly advised to remain indoors, avoid coastal areas, and take necessary precautions for their safety. A red weather warning from the Met Office is only issued in the most extreme circumstances.
A spokesperson from the Cabinet Office stated, “The Met Office has declared a red warning for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall from 16:00 to 23:00 on Thursday, January 8th.”
“Due to the expected damaging winds and associated disruptions, the Cabinet Office is issuing two Emergency Alerts to residents in the affected regions. The first alert was sent around 15:00 on Thursday, January 8th to the Isles of Scilly, followed by a second alert around 17:00 on the same day to Cornwall.”
The Emergency Alert system will notify all compatible mobile phones in the affected areas about the red warning and provide safety instructions. Even phones set on silent mode will emit a loud siren-like sound and vibration for approximately 10 seconds. The UK Government has established plans to manage severe winter weather, collaborating with local authorities, emergency services, and other agencies to coordinate response efforts to any disruptions.