Millions of people urged to stay at home as Hurricane Darragh approaches

Millions of people in Wales and parts of south-west England have been told to stay at home as forecasters warned of the danger Storm Darragh brings with winds of up to 90mph.

The Met Office has issued the highest level red weather warning Because potentially life-threatening weather is expected. The alert is in effect from 03:00 to 11:00 GMT on Saturday.

The Bristol Channel coast as well as western and southern Wales are all under warning. The Met Office said the storm was expected to cause “significant disruption”.

About 3 million people in the affected area received a government emergency alert on their mobile phones on Friday evening, advising them to stay indoors.

The alert said people should “consider stockpiling a flashlight, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items you may already have at home” in the event of a power outage.

Friday’s message was the largest-ever use of the UK alert system and when delivered to devices produced a loud siren-like sound, lasting about 10 seconds.

It says, “Being outside in high winds puts you at risk of injury. Stay indoors if possible.”

The last Met Office red warning for winds in north-east Scotland was issued in January.

The strongest winds reached the west coast of Ireland on Friday night before moving eastwards towards the Irish Sea.

Late Friday evening, winds began to increase across Wales and southwest England, with the strongest winds reaching 74 mph in northwest Wales.

Amber warnings are in place in Northern Ireland, Wales and western England until Saturday morning, while other parts of the UK are under lower-level yellow weather warnings.

Bristol Airport warned passengers that “disruption is expected” for the weekend, and passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling.

Cardiff Airport said it would not operate flights during the red alert and advised passengers to contact their airline or tour operator.

Both bridges connecting England and South Wales – the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and the M48 Severn Bridge – have been closed due to Storm Darragh.

In Wales, all domestic football and rugby matches scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled, as well as Cardiff City’s Championship match against Watford, which was due to kick off at 15:00 GMT.

All of London’s Royal Parks will be closed on Saturday, including the Winter Wonderland attraction in Hyde Park.

In Northern Ireland, where there is a weather warning until 21:00 GMT, many Christmas events have been canceled this weekend.

Belfast City Council said its Christmas market will be closed on Saturday, while the Enchanted Winter Garden events at Antrim Castle Gardens have been canceled for Friday and Saturday.

Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of the season, after Burt and Connolly, which caused extreme flooding last month.