Storm Goretti brought a potentially deadly mix of violent winds, ice and heavy snow and rain on Thursday, forcing schools to close and leaving more than 65,000 homes without power. Gusts of up to 99mph were recorded as authorities issued a rare red warning – the highest level – for the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall.
Emergency alerts were sent to mobile phones in the area, sounding an alarm even if set to silent. The National Grid reported that more than 65,000 properties in southwest England are without power, with at least 11,000 homes in the West Midlands and 2,600 in Wales also affected.
Travel chaos ensued as all trains in Cornwall were suspended from 6pm on Thursday, and services on the Exeter-Okehampton and Exeter-Barnstaple routes were also suspended. In Wales, six railway lines closed, and Avanti West Coast cancelled one in three trains between London, Birmingham and Manchester. British Airways cancelled 30 flights to and from London Heathrow.
A red warning means there is a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possible widespread damage. The Met Office advised people to avoid travelling. An amber warning for snow is in place across much of the UK, with up to 30cm expected in the Midlands on Friday.
The RAC warned drivers of falling trees and cars being buffeted by gusts. Spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “A red weather warning is every bit as serious as it sounds: avoid the roads – unless absolutely essential – until the storm winds have passed.” The storm, named by Météo France, is a weather bomb with pressure falling rapidly.
