Met Office issues rare 'danger to life' red warning for parts of UK ahead of Storm Darragh

The Met Office has warned that Storm Darragh poses a “danger to life” as it sweeps through parts of the UK this weekend.

The weather agency has issued a rare red warning for wind with the storm expected to cause significant damage as it hits south west England and Wales in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Gusts of up to 90mph are expected to cause danger to life due to ‘flying debris and falling trees’, the Met Office said, while roofs could be blown off and power lines brought down.

READ NEXT: Met Office map shows exact time Storm Darragh will sweep across UK this week

Roads, bridges and railway lines are also expected to be closed - with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights - while large waves are likely to batter coastal roads, sea fronts and homes.

The Met Office said: “A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea. Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches.

“The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening.”

The red wind warning has been put in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday for south west England - including Bristol, Devon and Somerset - and a large section of Wales stretching from the Isle of Anglesey in the north to Cardiff in the south.

The Met Office has advised people in the area to stay indoors if possible and avoid travelling by road, as driving is unsafe in these conditions. The weather agency also advised people to secure loose items outside of homes and to prepare for power cuts by gathering torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

People who live or work by the coast have also been warned of large waves that can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.

Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud told the PA News Agency: “We are rather concerned about the strength of the winds affecting the Irish sea coasts and this is likely to have impacts on Irish ferry services. Trees could come down onto roads and people need to be aware of this and allow extra time for travel, especially in rural spots.”

Storm Darragh is due to cross Ireland late on Friday, then parts of England and Wales on Saturday, clearing to the east of England on Saturday night or early Sunday.

The storm is also expected to bring heavy rain to parts of the UK across the weekend - mainly Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - with yellow warnings and 130 flood alerts also in place.

The Environment Agency (EA) said it was carefully monitoring the progress of the storm ahead of the weekend.

Katharine Smith, flood duty manager at the EA, said: “EA teams are out on the ground and will support local authorities in responding to surface water flooding. We urge people not to drive though flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.”