'Red' alert in Cornwall as strong winds become risk to life

Flood risk in parts of Devon too

Exeter's Met Office says a deep area of low pressure crossing the south of the UK will bring a ‘multi-hazard’ event through Thursday and into Friday.

The agency has issued an amber warning for wind for the west of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly where potentially exceptionally strong winds. 

Gusts could reach up to 100mph in exposed coastal locations where the amber alert applies, with bery large waves bringing dangerous conditions to coastal areas. Strong winds, with gusts of 50-60 mph, will affect other parts of southern England, especially exposed coasts and hills.   

Storm Goretti is also expected to bring a spell of snow, with the largest snowfalls most likely to be across Wales and parts of the Midlands, where a further Amber warning has been issued. Rain will be an additional hazard, particularly for parts of southwest Wales and eastern England as Goretti moves through.

Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far southwest, though heavy rain in some parts of Wales and East Anglia also has the potential to bring disruption to many.

A flood warning is in place fort he South Devon coast from Dawlish Warren to Seaton, with flooding possible for exposed coastal areas at Dawlish Warren, Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Seaton, especially the two hours around high tide, which on Thursday is around 9 to 10pm,