Storm Goretti live updates: 65k homes are without power as gales hit

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Panic buyers were out in force across the nation’s supermarkets yesterday before Storm Goretti swept across Britain.

Jennifer Marsh, a mother of one from Dudley, West Midlands, could not believe her eyes after her trip to Asda exposed fear mongers in her community.

The 30-year-old popped into the supermarket to see half of the shelves in the shop completely cleared out.

According to the mum-of-two, her mother-in-law who works at the shop claimed everything was fine until the storm warning.

Shelves usually stacked with fresh vegetables, bread and meat were completely emptied with the nation preparing for the worst.

See her video below:

Frozen Europe has grinded to a halt as Storm Goretti continues to wreak havoc, with -20C blizzards disrupting trains, planes and causing enormous traffic jams in Germany.

Northwestern France has been hit by strong winds of 135mph as the country copes with mass blackouts, particularly in Normandy and Brittany.

Red snow warnings have been issued for the north of Germany around Hamburg, with up to 15 centimetres of snow expected.

The country’s national meteorological service, the DWD, warned of the potential for black ice build-up, particularly in the west and south of the country.

Long-distance trains were halted in the north on Friday and services were also affected in other parts of Germany as winter storms sweep across Europe, the rail operator said.

This remarkable pictures shows Falmouth University student Anna Richmond inspecting damage to her car which was crushed during Storm Goretti outside her rented accommodation.

Many trees were uprooted across Cornwall last night with residents urged to stay indoors as a rare red weather warning for wind was issued by the Met Office.

At least two dogs were rescued during Storm Goretti after pets were left disorientated during the extreme weather conditions across the country yesterday.

In the Peak District, mountain rescuers were called to a group of walkers with their dog who were lost on Torside moor.

In a Facebook post, the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team said:

Once with the walkers, extra jackets and spikes were supplied and we began our return off the hill. Unfortunately, the days excitement got too much for their furry friend so a short dog carry was initiated.

Meanwhile, in the Isle of Wight a Border Collie, named Karoo, was rescued by RNLI crew members after becoming stranded in icy water under Ryde Pier.

The dramatic rescue unfolded after three-year-old Karoo was startled by a loud noise and slipped his collar, fleeing from his owner.

Storm Goretti saw winds just shy of 100mph strike Britain last night.

Winds of 99mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly on Thursday, which is a new record for the site, the Met Office said.

Meanwhile, in Cornwall gusts of 90mph were recorded in Culdrose and 82mph in Camborne.

The Met Office issued a red wind warning for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and urged residents to remain in their homes between 4pm and 11pm.

These are the remarkable scenes across Cornwall today as Storm Goretti left trees uprooted following destructive winds in the county.

Winds caused trees to fall down in Falmouth and St Stephen as people were urged to stay at home following a rare red weather warning.

Cornwall Council advised residents to avoid travelling this morning following the storm damage overnight.

The council said:

A large number of roads are still closed due to fallen trees, downed power lines and debris. Our teams are working around the clock to clear them, and we ask that you give crews the space they need to carry out urgent repairs safely.