Half-Million Phones to Receive Emergency Alerts in Red Weather Zones

This post examines the Met Office’s highest-level warning and emergency alerts issued ahead of Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026.

I explain what forecasters are saying, why the situation is being described as a weather bomb and a “multi-hazard event,” which areas are most at risk, and practical steps residents and local authorities should consider as the storm approaches.

Table of Contents

What we know about Storm Goretti and the Met Office warning

The Met Office has issued its most severe weather warning for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and sent emergency alerts to roughly half a million UK phones.

Forecasts indicate powerful, potentially destructive winds this evening, with the agency explicitly stating the situation poses a “danger to life.”

Scale and severity compared with past storms

Forecasters are signalling that Goretti could be stronger than recent notable events, including Storm Ciarán (2023).

In some respects, comparisons are being made to the Great Storm of 1987.

The storm has been labelled a weather bomb—a rapidly deepening low-pressure system capable of producing violent winds and swift changes in conditions.

Why officials are urgently advising caution

Authorities stress the warning is not to be taken lightly: expected impacts include damage to buildings, flying debris, and the risk of power lines being brought down.

Emergency services and local authorities are likely already on heightened alert to manage immediate responses and protect vulnerable communities.

What “multi-hazard event” means for coastal communities

Calling Goretti a multi-hazard event recognises that the storm could combine several threats—extreme winds, coastal surge, and localized flooding—simultaneously.

That convergence raises the probability of significant disruption to transport, utilities, and emergency services across impacted coastal regions.

Practical guidance: preparing for Storm Goretti

As a meteorologist with decades of experience, I recommend clear, practical actions for residents in the warning zone and for those on low-lying coasts.

Immediate steps to take before the worst hits

Consider the following priorities to improve safety and resilience ahead of the storm:

Follow official updates: Keep an eye on Met Office warnings, local authority guidance and emergency alerts on your phone.

Secure loose items: Bring garden furniture, bikes and other unsecured objects inside or chain them down to avoid flying debris.

Check flood plans: If you are in a flood-prone area, prepare flood barriers, sandbags and a relocation plan for people and pets.

Power and communications: Charge phones, keep torches and batteries ready, and have an alternative plan for heating or cooking if electricity is lost.

Avoid travel where possible: Strong winds and debris can make roads, bridges and coastal routes hazardous; postpone non-essential journeys.

Final thoughts from an experienced forecaster

While meteorology can quantify probability and intensity, the human response is equally important.

If you live in the areas named in the Met Office warning—particularly Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly—take the emergency alerts seriously.

Follow instructions from local officials, and prepare now rather than later.

Here is the source article for this story: Emergency alert to be sent to half a million phones in red weather warning areas