Storm Darragh latest: Millions told to stay at home amid red ‘danger to life’ warning

UK weather chasers have filmed themselves driving in dangerous conditions as trees fall down and huge waves crash into coastal areas across the south west.

The Met Office issued the red weather warning – the most serious type – on Friday for wind, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people are urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe.

The warning, which has led to the cancellation of events including Christmas attractions, is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday.

The Met Office warned of “damaging winds” with gusts of 90mph possible over the coasts and hills of West and South Wales.

Forecasters say the strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning.

Saturday’s Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park has been postponed.

Merseyside Police have warned against any non-essential travel in the region on Saturday, with an amber weather alert in place.

Thousands of people across Northern Ireland, England and Wales were left without power as they braced for the storm’s impact.

As of 5am, National Grid reported more than 12,600 premises had lost power in the Midlands and south-west and more than 20,000 homes had been disconnected in Wales.

A note on the Northern Ireland Electricity Network’s website said the authority was unable to provide estimated restoration times.

“Due to the number of faults we are currently experiencing on the network, we are unable to provide an estimated restoration time for your electricity supply at this time,” it read.

“We are working to restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible.”

Around three million homes have received an emergency alert on their mobile phones as Storm Darragh hits the UK, Jonathan Reynolds said.

Speaking to Sky News, the Business Secretary described the storm as a “challenging situation”.

He added: “About three million homes will have had the emergency alert system to their mobile phone. I would just encourage anyone who has had that to follow the advice.”

National Grid is responding to the 20,000 homes without power, Mr Reynolds said, adding staff “will be on standby for any further challenges throughout the rest of the day”.

He added: “Where you can, stay inside, don’t put yourself at risk, and just follow the advice at all times.”

The Met Office has offered a satellite view of Storm Darragh as it warned millions of people to stay indoors with their rare red alert.

The red alert lasts until 11am today with people on the Welsh coast told to expect:

• Danger to life due to flying debris and falling trees
• Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes
• Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down

A man living in Irlam in the north west captured the moment Storm Darragh changed the wind direction as it made landfall in England this morning.

KD Bradshaw, living in Irlam, near Manchester told The Independent: “I’m going to be staying indoors today. The wind is not too bad at the moment but it is expected to get worse.

“Fortunately I’m outside the amber warning… for the moment.”

Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government’s “risk to life” alert brought on by Storm Darragh came into force.

The emergency alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday for people covered by the Met Office’s rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England.

It was the largest use of the warning system yet, with the alert urging residents to avoid driving and to “stay indoors if you can”.

The Met Office confirmed to the PA news agency wind gusts of up to 92mph had been recorded overnight in Capel Curig in North Wales and Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula.

Liverpool FC has advised its fans to “remain alert” and “take extra care” before their away Merseyside derby fixture at Everton’s Goodison Park.

The club said in a statement: “Supporters attending Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park are advised to allow extra time for travel and remain alert to Met Office weather warnings.

“An amber severe wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for Merseyside from 1am GMT on Saturday, with wind gusts of 60mph to 70mph likely. The warning for wind is expected to remain in place until 6am on Sunday.

“Given the weather warning, fans are advised to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care.

“Supporters are also advised to keep a close eye on travel and weather guidance in their area to assist with travel planning for the Premier League fixture (12.30pm kick-off).”

Tornadoes could strike the UK as Storm Darragh prepares to wreak havoc, a storm research body has said.

“Wind gusts to around 70-75mph could accompany the stronger cores, and one or tornadoes are possible too,” said the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation (Torro), a privatrely-supported and volunteer-led research body which specialises in severe convective weather in Britain and Ireland.

The entirety of Ireland, Wales, and most of England – barring parts of the north and east – are expected to be in affected areas, according to a map published by Torro in its update on Friday afternoon.