A rare and dangerous red weather warning has been issued for Cornwall as Storm Goretti batters the UK, forcing schools to close early and bringing the nation's transport network to a grinding halt. The Met Office has told residents in the county to stay indoors from 4pm until 11pm today, Thursday, January 8, as "exceptionally strong" winds threaten gusts of 100mph or more.
Danger to Life as Red Warning Issued
The Met Office's highest-level alert, the first for wind in nearly a year, warns of a "danger to life" from flying debris, significant damage to buildings, and widespread power cuts. The forecaster stated that "violent gusts" could persist for two to three hours in exposed coastal areas. This is only the eighth red warning issued in the past five years, underlining the severity of the incoming storm.
Across the South West, dramatic social media footage has emerged showing severe flooding, with country roads in Cornwall transformed into fast-flowing streams. One video from Newquay depicted a man battling torrential rain through an isolated town centre in a desperate attempt to buy food.
Nationwide Travel Chaos and School Closures
The storm's impact is being felt nationwide. Cornwall Council advised all schools to close by 2pm, while over 160 schools in Aberdeenshire remained shut for a fourth consecutive day due to heavy snow. Commuters were urged to travel home early as rail operators began shutting down lines from 3pm.
Major disruptions include:
- All train services in Cornwall suspended from 6pm with no replacement buses.
- TransPennine Express closing the route between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield from 6pm tonight until Saturday.
- Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry operating reduced services from mid-afternoon.
- Flights to and from Jersey and Guernsey cancelled as Channel Islands airports close early.
In a stark warning, Network Rail advised passengers to check before they travel, acknowledging that the scale of the storm would likely cause severe disruption despite extensive preparations.
Heavy Snow and a 'Multi-Hazard Event'
Storm Goretti, named by Meteo France, has been described by the Met Office as a "multi-hazard event." While Cornwall faces devastating winds, an amber warning for heavy snow is in force from 8pm tonight until 9am tomorrow for parts of Wales, the Midlands, and South Yorkshire. Up to 30cm (1 foot) of snow is forecast for some areas, with 20cm possible in the Home Counties.
The storm is undergoing explosive cyclogenesis, or a "weather bomb," with its central pressure plummeting by 36 millibars in 24 hours. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather alerts, warning of severe impacts on health services and a potential rise in deaths among vulnerable groups.
The Cabinet Office confirmed it had triggered the national Emergency Alert system, sending loud siren-like warnings to mobile phones in the most at-risk areas of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, urging people to gather torches, batteries, and essential supplies.
As Britain braces for a treacherous night, the public is being urged to avoid all non-essential travel, stay indoors, and follow advice from local authorities and emergency services.
