Storm Goretti has caused widespread disruption across the UK, with a rare red weather warning issued for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. Gusts of up to 99mph were recorded, leaving more than 65,000 homes without power in southwest England, according to the National Grid. An additional 11,000 properties in the West Midlands and 2,600 in Wales are also affected.
The Met Office described the red warning as indicating a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel and energy supplies. Emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones in the affected areas, sounding an alarm even if devices were set to silent. Authorities urged people to avoid travel and follow advice from emergency services.
The storm, named by French forecaster Météo France, has brought a mix of violent winds, ice, snow and heavy rain. Snowfall of up to 30cm is expected in parts of the Midlands and Wales on Friday, with amber warnings in place across large swathes of the UK. Train services in Cornwall and Devon were suspended, and British Airways cancelled 30 flights to and from Heathrow.
In Scotland, more than 250 schools remained closed for a fifth day due to snow and ice. The RAC warned drivers of the risk of falling trees and being buffeted by gusts. Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a multi-hazard event, with impacts from snow, wind and rain.
