BBC issues statement after telling terrified Brits to expect ‘hurricane force winds’

The BBC has issued a statement after telling people using its weather service to expect 'hurricane force winds'.

It comes as Hurricane Milton has hit land in Florida, with the extreme weather event devastating the US state and already seeing people lose their lives.

Millions of Floridians left most of their belongings behind as they escaped the state ahead of the hurricane hitting land.

Some stayed behind, with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issuing a major warning to them with 15 feet of storm surge water forecast for her city.

This is deep enough to swallow an entire house, meaning you're not safe even if you think you can outlast it on the first floor or attic levels.

The storm is set to move across the Florida state before heading in to the North Atlantic Ocean, where it will eventually dissipate.

Milton is not expected to hit the UK, but Brits have been left wide-eyed this morning after using the BBC weather service, which has told users to expect 'hurricane force winds'.

People across the country reported their local weather forecasts showing winds of up to 15,500 miles per hour (mph). For context, Hurricane Milton's winds will peak at 200mph.

One person who got the notification while using the app posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Please tell me this is an error. I just live in lil ol’ Sunderland."

Another wrote: "BBC weather app us telling me there are currently hurricane force winds here in London with wind speed of 3,500 miles per hour. I mean it's a bit blowy out there but..."

And a third said: "Hurricane force winds, gusting up to 15,502 mph in Barton-upon-Humber, says the BBC. I might pop the trampoline in the garage."

Matt Taylor, a BBC broadcast meteorologist and former senior operational meteorologist with the Met Office, issued a statement on the warning.

Thankfully, all is well when it comes to the UK and hurricane weather.

"Don’t be alarmed folks - Hurricane Milton hasn’t made it to us here in the UK," he wrote on X.

"There’s been a data glitch between our suppliers and the app / online. Folk are working to solve the issue.

"No need to panic buy plywood and candles."

The BBC Weather account on X also wrote: "You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website.

"We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry - please bear with us."