Storm Goretti has left thousands of people facing power cuts, school closures and travel chaos after unleashing destructive winds and heavy snow across Britain.
More than 40,000 properties were without power in the South West at midday on Friday, according to the National Grid’s website, while about 11,000 had no power in the West Midlands, more than 500 had no power in the East Midlands and more than 400 were without power in Wales.
It comes after the storm brought winds of almost 100mph to South West England and heavy snowfall across Wales and the Midlands, which officials described as the ‘worst in a decade’.
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Goretti is clearing to the east but wintry weather will continue to grip the country over the weekend with forecasters warning more snow could arrive on Sunday.
Follow the latest Storm Goretti updates belowÂ
Top story: Brits warned to brace for MORE snow on Sunday
Britons were warned to expect a further foot of snow this weekend after tens of thousands of homes were left without power following 100mph Storm Goretti.
Severe conditions caused school closures and travel disruption today with flights grounded at airports, roads blocked and large swathes of the rail network shut.
Now, the Met Office has issued fresh yellow warnings for snow and ice for tomorrow and Sunday as partially thawed snow refreezes then blizzards arrive. A combination of melting snow and rain will also increase the risk of flooding over the coming days.
One new snow and ice warning covering most of Scotland and northern England runs from midday today until 3pm tomorrow with up to 15cm (6ft) set to accumulate.
A second yellow warning for ice will cover large parts of western England and Wales from midday today until midday tomorrow; while a third across Northern Ireland for snow and ice will come into force from 5pm tonight and run until 11am tomorrow.
A separate snow and ice warning on Sunday will be active for much of Scotland and the North of England from 2am until 3pm with another 30cm (1ft) expected to fall.
Read the full story by Mark Duell here
Storm Goretti leaves tens of thousands without power after heavy snow and strong winds
Storm Goretti has battered Britain with snow, winds and rain after sweeping across the country last night.
The devastating storm has caused power cuts, widespread travel disruption and school closures.
If you’re just joining us, here are the main developments overnight:
64,000 properties across England and Wales are without power this morning
The storm brought 99mph winds and up to 1ft (30cm) of snow is expected
Birmingham and East Midlands airports temporarily suspended operations
Rail operators issued ‘do not travel’ warnings with all trains in Cornwall axed
Hundreds of schools are closed while roads are also shut due to fallen trees
A rare Met Office red ‘stay at home’ warning was issued for the South West
20:15
Walk like a penguin to avoid slipping on ice, NHS staff tell public
An NHS trust has offered some unusual advice to those walking in Britain’s snow-hit and icy places following Storm Goretti…walk like a penguin.
Offiicials at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde say the penguin method of walking helps people to keep their balance on slippy surfaces.
In a video released online, staff say the method involves bending your feet, keeping your knees loose and pointing your feet out slightly before raising your arms at your sides and walking in short steps with flat feet.
Laura Halcrow, Falls Prevention Lead at the trust, said: ‘It might look funny, but waddling really works’.
Watch the video here:
19:58
Falmouth RNLI respond to seven incidents during Storm Goretti
RNLI volunteers battled horrendous conditions to rescue people from boats as Storm Goretti hit Cornwall.
Falmouth RNLI responded to seven separate incidents on Thursday night in hurricane-strength winds described as the worst ever seen by volunteers.
The crew was called out at about 7.10pm as a number of vessels were breaking free from their moorings with people aboard.
RNLI volunteers worked for three hours in strong winds and heavy rain to assist people in difficulty.
Nick Head, coxswain, said:
The conditions were very tricky with 90mph winds, torrential rain and hail, and it was certainly the worst weather conditions I’ve been out in as coxswain.
The lifeboat pontoon suffered some damage, as did many other structures around the harbour. However, the lifeboat remains in service and operational.
19:44
Downing Street – Support being offered to people left without power
Downing Street said support was being offered to homes left without power by the storm.
A No 10 spokesman said:
We have well-rehearsed plans in place for winter weather. We are currently working with teams from local authorities, the emergency services and other public bodies to respond to the disruption.
He added around 0.21% of customers remain without power after supplies were restored to 150,000 homes and businesses.
The National Grid is also working to open community centres and warm spaces in areas worst impacted by the storm, as well as offering food and accommodation for those in need today and across the weekend.
19:23
Storm Goretti blamed for more water outages in Kent
Bad weather has been blamed for more water outages in Kent.
Earlier this week, South East Water (SEW) said a series of burst water mains due to the cold were responsible for 6,500 customers in Tunbridge Wells being left without water again.
While those supplies returned on Thursday, more outages are expected on Friday afternoon.
The company said Storm Goretti has slowed the recovery of water storage tanks since the pipes burst, which will mean demand outstrips supply.
Last month, 24,000 properties in Tunbridge Wells spent days without any running water, and almost two weeks without drinkable water.
19:11
Cornish rugby stadium and cathedral damaged during Storm Goretti
In Cornwall, it has emerged a rugby stadium and a cathedral have been damaged by destructive winds during Storm Goretti.
The roof on the main grandstand at Mennaye Field, the home of the Cornish Pirates rugby club, had large chunks torn off in what the club described as ‘significant damage’.
The club, who play in the Champ Rugby, the second level of the English rugby union pyramid, say their next home match will go ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, the roof of Truro Cathedral was also damaged last night with the loss of lead meaning rain entered the building.
18:55
Storm Goretti eases but what comes next?
Storm Goretti has now cleared towards eastern England where a yellow rain warning remains in place until the evening.
But although the storm’s influence is fast waning, forecasters say there will likely be further disruption across the country as a result of snow and ice over the weekend.
In its most recent update, the Met Office said further ice and wintry showers, with some snow on high ground, are likely to affect many northern areas and Wales.
Saturday promises to be a calm day with sunny spells but on Sunday another front arrives bringing the risk of further snow.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington said:
Following on from a Saturday which will be largely dry away from northeastern parts of Scotland and England, a front from the west on Sunday will bring snow for parts of Scotland and northern England with low temperatures continuing the ice risk.
A further 2-5cm of snow is possible to accumulate at low levels within the warning area on Sunday, with 10-20cm possible over higher ground. With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely. Those in central and southern England and Wales will see this fall as rain, in what will be a wet Sunday for many.
