News / Weather
‘Severe alert’ issued ahead of arrival of Storm Darragh in Bristol
Mobile phones across Bristol received an alert from the government on Friday evening ahead of the arrival of Storm Darragh.
The ‘severe alert’ warns of “extremely strong winds” that are expected to cause “significant disruption” from 3.30am on Saturday morning.
The red weather warning says that flying debris, falling trees and large waves “can present a danger to life” with people warned to stay indoors and being told it is not safe to drive.
is needed now More than ever
The severe alert warning was sent to phones at around 7pm on Friday
The alert also says that the incoming storm may cause damage to infrastructure including power cuts and disruption to mobile phone coverage..
People are advised to gather “torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items you already have ay home”
The red weather warning had been issued earlier on Friday afternoon across parts of Bristol and Somerset.
BBC Bristol weather forecaster Ian Fergusson said: “The area around the Bristol Channel and inland from that is going to get a battering into the early hours of Saturday.”
Fergusson said Bristol Airport is likely to have “problems with arrivals and departures” as well as there being further challenges with road closures and rail transport disruptions”.
A map of the red and yellow weather warning across the South West – image: MapTiler
According to the Met Office, the winds will begin at 3am and end at 11am on Saturday.
Many events over the weekend have already been cancelled.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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