Storm Goretti has brought severe disruption to road, rail, and air travel across the UK, with rail services suspended, flights cancelled, and schools closed. The Met Office has issued fresh yellow warnings for snow and ice covering much of Scotland, northern England, and the Midlands, effective from early Sunday until 3pm. A separate ice warning applies to large parts of England and Wales from midday Friday to midday Saturday, while Northern Ireland faces a snow and ice warning from 5pm Friday to 11am Saturday.
In Cornwall, RNLI volunteers responded to seven incidents in 'hurricane strength' winds described as the worst ever seen. The government has been urged to convene the Cobra emergency committee, with Liberal Democrat MP Gideon Amos stating that the south-west is 'routinely overlooked' and must not be ignored. National Grid has restored power to 169,380 properties across the south-west, Midlands, and south Wales, with extra engineers drafted in.
Road closures due to fallen trees and debris have led to travel warnings, including in Cornwall where residents were advised to avoid travel. The disruption also affected the criminal justice system, with no remand prisoners transported to Birmingham Crown Court. The Cornish Pirates rugby club in Penzance suffered damage to its grandstand roof.
In Scotland, intense snowfall and sub-zero temperatures have caused school closures and travel chaos. First Minister John Swinney said efforts are now focused on recovery. Many local authorities in England and Wales have activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers, with London activating it for the second time this year. Two rough sleepers have died in Manchester during the cold spell.
