Thousands of households are currently experiencing power outages in the UK due to the impact of Storm Goretti, which has prompted a rare red warning for severe and dangerous winds. The Met Office has highlighted that areas like Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are expected to face “violent gusts,” with wind speeds reaching 99mph at St Mary’s Airport, setting a new record for the location.
As of 9pm, over 47,000 properties in the South West were without electricity, with additional power outages reported in the West Midlands and Wales. National Grid emphasized that while the power network is designed to be resilient, extreme weather conditions can disrupt power supplies, especially with the potential for equipment damage and ice formation on overhead lines.
Roisin Quinn, field operations director at National Grid, assured the public of their readiness to swiftly address any storm-related damages and emphasized the availability of support teams to handle emergency situations. Cornwall Council has advised residents to remain indoors due to the hazardous weather conditions, urging caution to avoid risks associated with fallen trees and power lines blocking roads.
The red warning issued until 11pm highlights the expected impact of the storm, including property damage, large waves, flying debris posing a danger to life, power cuts, and disruptions to public transport services. The Met Office has urged the public to take necessary precautions and heed advice from local authorities to ensure safety.
In response to the approaching storm, several schools closed early in Cornwall, and train services in Cornwall and Devon were suspended due to the forecasted high winds. Disruptions in transportation services are expected to continue into Friday morning, with road conditions likely to be affected as well.
Storm Goretti, named by Meteo France, has been identified as a “multi-hazard event” by the Met Office, with warnings issued for snow, wind, rain, and ice across the UK. The weather agency anticipates significant impacts from snow in Wales and the Midlands, along with strong winds in the far South West, potentially causing disruption in various regions.
