Thousands of homes and businesses in northern France and southern England faced power outages on Friday morning due to Storm Goretti, which brought severe winds, rain, and snow from the Atlantic. The Isles of Scilly recorded wind gusts of up to 99 mph, causing road blockages and building instability. Over 57,000 people were without power across parts of England and Wales, while more than 250 schools in Scotland closed for up to five days due to heavy snow.
The storm also affected transport services, prompting warnings for travelers across the UK. Birmingham Airport reopened with reduced operations after a temporary closure. The UK’s Met Office issued a high-level red weather warning, signaling a life-threatening situation.
In France, Northwest regions experienced strong winds, with around 320,000 homes still without power by midday. Wind gusts reached up to 132 mph in Normandy, leading to suspended regional train services. Residents were advised to stay indoors.
The cold wave extended to Central and Eastern Europe, where heavy snowfall caused significant travel disruptions, especially in Prague and parts of Germany. Train services in Germany were notably affected, leading to thousands of stranded travelers, with some fatalities attributed to the winter conditions.
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