Ad
Thursday, October 30, 2025

UK Braced for Storm Darragh as 90mph Winds Trigger Red Warning

ADVERTISEMENT

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning as Storm Darragh prepares to batter parts of the UK with gusts of up to 90mph.

Coastal areas in Wales and the southwest of England are in the firing line, with the warning in place from 3 am to 11 am on Saturday.

The storm is expected to bring “damaging winds” that could cause major disruption to transport, power supplies, and construction sites. Scaffolding firms in the affected regions are being urged to take extra precautions to secure structures and prioritise safety.

Danger to Life and Property

According to the Met Office, the intense winds pose a “danger to life” due to flying debris, while large waves are expected to hammer exposed coastlines.

Gusts could be particularly hazardous in areas like the Bristol Channel, where funnelling winds may intensify the storm’s impact.

Irish forecasters at Met Éireann have also issued a red wind warning for parts of the west coast of Ireland, including Galway, Mayo, and Donegal, as the storm barrels across the Irish Sea overnight.

Amber and Yellow Warnings Add to Chaos

Elsewhere, amber warnings remain in place for much of Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland, with yellow alerts covering a wider area. Heavy rain is also forecast for some regions, compounding the risk of flooding and site disruptions.

Storm Darragh arrives just weeks after Storm Bert, which caused chaos in several parts of the UK. For those in the scaffolding trade, this means another challenging period as sites brace for potentially severe weather conditions.

How to Prepare

For scaffolding contractors, ensuring the safety of workers and the public is paramount. Check that all scaffolds are properly tied and braced, remove any loose materials or tools from structures.

The Met Office advises that “extremely strong winds will ease from late morning, but it will remain very windy into the evening.” If work is planned on exposed sites, it may be worth considering a delay until conditions improve.

Stay Safe and Stay Prepared

Storm Darragh serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of thorough preparation. For those in the scaffolding industry, it’s critical to double down on safety measures to prevent accidents and damage during these challenging conditions.

Keep an eye on the latest forecasts, follow safety guidance, and, above all, stay safe.

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Categories

Latest news

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht, has announced its largest ever distribution agreement after joining forces with Leach’s. The partnership will expand...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live webinars in November designed to help contractors overcome the everyday challenges of tracking and managing...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive line-up of international speakers for its upcoming Scaff25 Annual Conference & Awards Night, set to...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official statement following Friday’s partial collapse of a building surrounded by scaffolding in the city centre. The...

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed during demolition work, with scaffolding and debris seen falling into the nearby River Irwell. Emergency services...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award in the Specialist Contractor of the Year category at the 2025 National Building and Construction...

Construction leaders unite against government plan to shorten apprenticeships

More than 20 construction organisations, including the NASC, have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer warning that plans to cut apprenticeships to eight months risk undermining skills, safety, and confidence in training.

HSE launches major construction site safety inspections in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is carrying out a series of unannounced inspections at construction sites across Manchester city centre this week. Twelve inspectors...

JR Scaffold honoured with Ministry of Defence Silver Award

Paisley-based JR Scaffold has been recognised among a select group of leading Scottish businesses to receive the prestigious Silver Award from the Ministry of...

Brogan Group acquires Sunbelt Rentals UK hoist division

Brogan Group has announced the acquisition of Sunbelt Rentals UK’s hoist division in a deal that significantly expands its operations and fleet across the...

Latest news

ADVERTISEMENT

The magazine

Issue 27 | Past issues >>

Popular

Building and scaffolding partially collapses in Manchester city centre

A building in Manchester city centre has partially collapsed...

ScaffChamp 2025: Teams Gather in Vilnius for Opening Day

The international scaffolding competition ScaffChamp 2025 has officially begun,...

Demolition firm issues statement following Manchester building and scaffolding collapse

Manchester-based demolition contractor P.P. O’Connor has released an official...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...

Benchmark Scaffolding wins Silver at national awards

Benchmark Scaffolding has been recognised with the Silver Award...

Related articles

UK Weather Alert: Storm Agnes Threatens With 80mph Winds

Large parts of the UK are bracing for Storm Agnes, which is set to bring potentially damaging winds of up to 80mph.  The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for significant portions...
ADVERTISEMENTS

Latest topics

House-building recovery delayed until 2029, industry warns

The Construction Products Association warns UK house-building will not recover to pre-pandemic levels until 2029 or 2030, urging government support for first-time buyers to prevent further insolvencies and job losses.

Staht secures largest ever distribution deal with Leach’s

One of the UK’s leading testing technology firms, Staht,...

Avontus to host free webinars on digital scaffold management this November

Avontus Software has announced a series of free, live...

Scaff25 announces global line-up of industry leaders for Sydney conference

The Scaffolding Association Australia (SAA) has revealed an impressive...
ADVERTISEMENTS