Storm Goretti

Updates

Jan 09, 2026

The first major named storm of 2026, Goretti swept across northwest Europe bringing violent winds, heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and widespread disruption. The UK Met Office described Goretti as a multi-hazard event, issuing rare red as well as amber warnings for wind and snow.

Starting late afternoon on Thursday in the UK, gusts of up to 99mph (160kph) were felt in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and there were also gusts of 90mph (145kph) at Culdrose and 82mph (130kph) in Camborne, both in Cornwall.

Up to 30 cm of snow is reported in the Midlands, Wales, and the Peak District. Over 65,000 properties are now without power. According to the National Grid, the vast majority of these are in south-west England, but there are also 11,000 affected in the West Midlands and around 2,600 in Wales.

Although windspeeds are slowing and rain is replacing snowfall in some areas, Met Office alerts are likely to remain in place through the coming weekend.

In Europe, Goretti has also caused severe disruption, bringing violent winds with gusts of up to 216kph (130mph), heavy snowfall, and freezing temperatures.

The weather fronts in both Europe and the UK are still active and likely to be for another 48 hours. This, combined with so many homes without power, as well as the possibility of rural communities being difficult to access, means that we expect to see a rise in claims volumes across the weekend and into the early part of next week.

Crawford is actively monitoring the situation as well as preparing to respond to claims and to support affected communities across the UK and Europe.

We are ready to meet increased demand for claims assistance, and you can be sure that Crawford will be there with the right team, the right technology, and the right processes to help restore lives, businesses and communities.

We will provide more updates as they become available.

Jan 07, 2026

Storm Goretti has been sweeping across northwest Europe. It has brought severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall, ice and strong winds, causing widespread disruption in France, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain including the cancellation of hundreds of flights as well as significant road and rail delays.

Temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F) have been seen in Germany and Spain is experiencing unusual levels of cold and snow. With fatalities already reported, authorities across Europe have issued red as well as orange weather warnings, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel and to work from home if possible.

Following the coldest night of the winter so far – as low as -12.5°C (9.5°F) in Norfolk – Storm Goretti is expected to move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday. The Met Office has issued amber warnings for snow and wind, especially in Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly, Wales, and the Midlands. Up to 20-30cm of snow is possible in some areas, particularly over higher ground in Wales and the Peak District. Yellow warnings for snow and ice cover much of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Midlands.

Major delays and cancellations are expected for road, rail, and air travel and commuters are advised to avoid travel where possible. Power cuts are likely, rural communities may become cut off, and schools in several regions have already been closed. 

Crawford and its regional partners are actively monitoring the situation as well as preparing to respond to claims and to support affected communities in both the UK and Europe.