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Severe Storm Goretti Hits the United Kingdom: Record Winds, Power Outages, and Transport Disruptions

Published January 9, 2026, 07:20
Severe Storm Goretti Hits the United Kingdom: Record Winds, Power Outages, and Transport Disruptions

The United Kingdom is in a state of chaos due to Storm Goretti, which has brought gale-force winds, heavy rainfall, snowfall, and frost. Historic wind records have been broken, with gusts reaching 99 mph (159 km/h) at St Mary’s Airport in the Channel Islands. Over 500,000 citizens received urgent warnings via mobile phones, and more than 70,000 households in England and Wales are without electricity. Transport has been significantly disrupted, with Birmingham Airport suspending flights due to snow. A major emergency was declared in Jersey, and authorities in Guernsey have urged residents to stay home. Dozens of schools in various regions are expected to remain closed due to the extreme weather conditions.