Millions told to stay indoors amid rare red warning as Storm Darragh hits UK

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – A powerful storm made landfall in the UK on Saturday following a rare red warning, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel and sports events.

Around 3 million people in Wales and southwestern England were warned by the government to stay indoors as Storm Darragh has already hit parts of the country.

The message warned people of life-threatening danger due to “flying debris, falling trees and large waves around coastal areas.”

It followed a rare red warning, the most serious type, by Britain's Meteorological Office, earlier on Friday for wind.

According to the National Grid, more than 55,000 customers are now without power across southwestern England, southern Wales, and the West Midlands.

Mentioning an emergency cellphone alert sent to millions of people, it said this would be the largest ever use of the system outside a test scenario.

Several flights and train services have been delayed over the strong wind, with hundreds of cancellations and some aborted landings at Heathrow Airport in London, with others diverted to Germany.

Also Saturday's Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool was called off due to severe weather from the storm.

On X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government is working with local leaders and agencies on the ground to keep people safe.