Storm Goretti leaves hundreds of thousands of Europeans without power

Tens of thousands of homes across the UK have been left without power after Storm Goretti battered the country with hurricane-force winds and what weather experts are calling the worst snowfall in a decade. 

With further snow and ice warnings issued for the weekend, emergency services remain on high alert as communities assess the damage and brace for more disruption.

The first named storm of 2026, Goretti has been described by experts as a "weather bomb" – an explosive deepening phase of cyclogenesis that intensified rapidly as it crossed the British Isles. It lived up to its billing. 

Friday morning brought chaos for commuters, particularly in England's Midlands, where heavy snowfall and ice brought road and rail networks to a standstill.In Wolverhampton, workers struggled to reach offices and factories, while in neighboring Birmingham authorities urged residents to stay at home where possible. 

For many, however, that was not an option. Canceled trains, treacherous roads and icy pavements forced commuters to improvise, with journeys taking hours longer than usual — if they could be made at all.

Further south-west, Cornwall bore the brunt of the storm overnight. Winds of almost 160 kilometers an hour tore down trees, blocked roads and cut power to thousands of properties. 

Emergency crews worked through the night to clear debris, but many journeys were abandoned. All rail services to and from Cornwall were suspended, with conditions deemed too hazardous even for replacement bus services. The disruption left stations deserted and communities isolated.

The storm's impact was also felt across the Channel. In northern France, severe weather caused widespread damage, with the RN13 – a major transport route – closed after trees were blown across the carriageway, triggering long traffic tailbacks. Around 380,000 homes were left without electricity.

Marc Chappuis, the Prefect of Manche, described the situation as exceptional, saying emergency services had responded to more than 400 incidents overnight. Despite the scale of the storm, he said injuries had been limited.

For some, the aftermath revealed a striking winter landscape – snow-covered fields and quiet streets. For many others, Storm Goretti brought disruption, uncertainty – and a stark reminder of the growing power of extreme weather events.