Emergency alerts sent to people's phones during Storm Goretti

Emergency alerts are being sent to people's phones after a red weather warning was issued by the Met Office. A rare red warning has been issued for wind in southwest England and there is an expectation that parts of Wales will face a dangerous mix of heavy snow, strong winds, and driving rain.

Forecasters have warned the storm could cause significant disruption with difficult travelling conditions, power outages, and localised flooding all possible as the system moves in.

An amber weather warning for snow comes into force across large parts of Wales on Thursday with Storm Goretti expected to bring heavy snowfall, dangerous travelling conditions, and a potential danger to life from Thursday night into Friday. This marks the fourth weather warning issued for Wales over the same two days.

The three other weather warnings for Wales are yellow warnings for snow, rain, and wind. 

The UK Government's Cabinet Office has said that 500,000 people in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall, where the red warning is in place, will receive an emergency alert to their phone.

People will also receive the alert if they enter areas covered by the red warning.

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.

"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."