Tamsin Melville
BBC South West

It's still very much the calm before the storm in Truro, Cornwall.

After hours of persistent heavy rain, that has eased and the wind is yet to pick up.

But there are very few people in the city centre, perhaps that government alert prompted workers to leave early.

BBC South West senior broadcast meteorologist David Braine has dissected the red weather warning - explaining what it means.

Kirk England, environment and tourism correspondent at BBC South West, has been on Plymouth Hoe this evening.

Reporting the latest information on the red weather warning, he said even in Plymouth, which is outside of the red warning area, it was "difficult to stand up".

Speaking on the David White show this evening, he said it was "incredibly, incredibly windy" and said it had "ramped up massively" in the last hour or so.

Forecasters have issued the highest weather warning and are predicting wind speeds of up force 12 in Guernsey and Alderney.

In Jersey - they expect winds of at least storm force 10, and gusts up to 90mph (145km/h).

The official advice is to stay indoors - with Guernsey States urging people to be home by 18:00, and the Jersey authorities by 20:00.

Forecaster Paul Aked said it was important people were not outside when the storm peaked.

Jersey and Guernsey's governments have declared a major incident.

Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney airports have now closed, with Jersey Airport expected to reopen on Friday at 19:30.

Jersey's Hospital Emergency Department will stay open this evening but authorities are asking people to visit only if there was a genuine medical emergency.

Guernsey's ambulance service is warning there could be delays to ambulance responses during the storm.

Ben Chapple, BBC Guernsey

It’s been a day of rain, rain and more rain, but it has been still - there was not a breath of wind on the school run this morning.

Throughout the day I’ve spotted islanders securing loose items at their homes and workplaces.

As darkness began to take hold you could hear the wind starting to rise - it’s not at its peak yet but it is getting stronger.

While those of us with longer memories remember the likes of the Great Storm of 1987, the damage caused by Storm Ciaran just two years ago is fresh in the memory for many islanders, but we’ll have to wait for the morning to establish the extent of what Storm Goretti has in store.

This is the moment the emergency alert went off on mobile phones in the BBC Cornwall newsroom in Truro.

Compatible phones made a loud siren-like sound for 10 seconds, even if they were on silent.

Daniel Pascoe will be bringing the latest on Storm Goretti and its impact.

Listen across from 18:00 until 22:00 GMT.

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher/RockHopper

The unusual red wind warning has started and lasts until 23:00.

Forecasters are warning people to expect travel disruption, with power cuts affecting other services like mobile phone coverage.

Network Rail said all trains in Cornwall will be suspended later.

The Met Office says strong winds are expected to "suddenly jump" to as strong as 100mph (160km/h) later tonight.

People in the Channel Islands are being urged to stay at home this evening due to powerful winds from Storm Goretti.

Jersey Met said the storm would bring heavy rain and showers, alongside force 11 winds gusting up to 90 mph (144 km/h) from 20:00 GMT.

In Guernsey and Alderney wind speeds could reach force 12.

The States of Guernsey urged people to stay indoors and be at home by 18:00, and Jersey authorities have urged people to be at home by 20:00.

Image source, lily/BBC Weather Watchers

Jack Gray
Live reporter

Image source, Toots Taxi

Samantha Mallon of the Isles of Scilly says she and her neighbours have prepared as best as they can ahead of the "exceptional wind speeds" forecast for the area later this evening.

Samantha, 53, runs one of two taxis on St Mary's, the largest island of the archipelago which is at the centre of the Met Office's red wind warning - with forecasters warning of gusts in excess of 100mph (160km/h).

"We tend not to get nervous," says Mallon.

"We're a granite outcrop in the middle of the Atlantic, we get battered all the time... but this is the time where we do need to be heeding these warnings."

She's fastened down her garden furniture and has turned the heating on "full blast" in her home to keep some warmth in the event of a power cut, and has also stocked up on candles.

"Most of the pubs are shut, the school's closed, the co-cop is shut, everyone is being sensible, we just have to hunker down," she continued.

"If the power does go out, I will drink some gin."

The Watering Hole, a bar and restaurant on the beach at Perranporth in Cornwall, has been evacuated.

In a post on social media, owners said: "A danger to life alert is now in effect. We’ve evacuated the premises and closed early for safety. Please stay away and stay safe — this storm means business."

Storm Goretti will bring "exceptionally strong winds" with speeds of up to 70 mph (160 km/h) expected on exposed coasts and hills in Devon.

The Taw Bridge in Barnstaple and Torridge Bridge in Bideford will close later if wind gusts are as strong as forecast, Devon County Council says.

While an initial Yellow weather warning for snow has now been cancelled, there remains a risk of snow and wintry showers in some areas.

Some of Devon’s gritting fleet will be heading out from about 18:00 GMT on mainly higher routes.

Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “Storm Goretti is creating an extremely changeable picture for us.

"The strength of the wind is causing most concern in our region, but as well as damaging winds, we may see issues caused by rain and snow in Devon.

"It’s very likely this storm could cause some disruption across the county this evening and overnight, but you may also come across debris and fallen trees tomorrow morning, so please expect the unexpected.”

Image source, Devon County Council

Kelly Eastwood, a therapeutic art practitioner based in Jersey, explained on BBC Radio Jersey how to stay calm during the storm.

She said: "I think it's really understandable that people are maybe feeling really unsettled and I guess it's important to note that, you know, it can be unpredictable outside and when this happens we often feel it in our bodies."

Eastwood said this could come about as palpitations, racing or unwanted thoughts.

"From a creative perspective art can be very gentle and accessible to calm the nervous system so there's lots of different art things that we can do to slow our body down," she said.

She added one of the simple things people could do would be doodling, colouring and zentangles, which was like "meditation with a biro".

BBC Channel Islands, with Charlie McArdle, will be covering Storm Goretti at 18:30 GMT.

He'll have reports from Ammar Ebrahim in Jersey, and Olivia Fraser in Guernsey on how islanders are preparing.

David Braine will have the latest weather forecast too.

Watch on BBC One or on the iPlayer.

Alex Green
BBC News

The emergency alert has just gone off on phones in the newsroom here in Plymouth.

We're not technically in the red wind warning area here, but we're not too far away from the Cornish border.

The loud buzzing sound filled the room - even though we were expecting it, it was still a shock for most of us.

The alert came through on my phone and smart watch, with all the relevant information on the Met Office warning.

Image source, Alex Green

There are severe delays on the A38 in Plymouth due to a lane closure on the Tamar Bridge.

The bridge connects Devon and Cornwall.

National Highways South West says one lane is closed on the bridge due to strong winds, resulting in six miles of congestion and delays of about 50 minutes.

Steve Byrne, manager at the GSPCA, spoke to BBC Radio Guernsey about keeping animals safe during the storm.

He said the GSPCA was really concerned about the impact on animals the storm could have but that pet owners could take precautions.

He said: "For those pets living outside, if you can bring them in areas of your home, or outhouses or garages, which are secure and safe.

"For those dog walkers try and take them during weather when it's not quite as windy and obviously with the cats maybe think about keeping them in," he continued.

Image source, Met Office

When dangerous weather is forecast, a weather warning will be issued by the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service.

Weather warnings are given a colour – yellow, amber or red - with yellow being the lowest, and red the most serious. The colour assigned depends on a combination of two thing; the impact the weather is likely to have and the likelihood of it happening.

• Yellow warnings: Are the ones you will see most often. They give you a heads up that severe weather is possible and to start planning for impacts to either travel, power or property
• Amber warnings: Mean travel disruption is more likely and there is a potential risk to life and property
• Red warnings: These are rare, and have only been issued a handful of times in recent years - including today for parts of south-west England. They mean the Met Office believes that dangerous, potentially life-threatening weather is expected imminently and you should immediately take action to keep yourself and others safe

Network Rail said all trains in Cornwall, between Exeter and Okehampton, and between Exeter and Barnstaple, would be suspended from 18:00 GMT on Thursday until Friday morning.

It has advised travellers to check their journeys.

It added replacement road transport would not be available as road conditions were expected to be at risky.

Early morning services on Friday may also be affected on these routes, with short-notice cancellations possible it said.

BBC Spotlight, presented by Victoria Graham, will have more information on Storm Goretti as it progresses across the South West.

Reporter Johnny Rutherford will have coverage from west Cornwall and John Ayres has been in Dawlish, Devon.

There will also be the all-important analysis from our Senior Broadcast Meteorologist David Braine.

Tune to BBC One at 18:30 GMT or watch on the iPlayer.