Northern Europe continues to battle severe winter weather, with hurricane-force winds, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures claiming at least 13 lives and causing major disruption to travel, power supplies, and education systems across the continent.
United Kingdom: Storm Goretti Batters Cornwall and Wales
In the United Kingdom, Storm Goretti struck Cornwall and parts of Wales, bringing winds of up to 160 km/h.
- Around 50 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
- Tens of thousands of households were left without electricity.
- A man in his 50s was killed in Helston after being struck by a falling tree.
The national weather service, Met Office, issued warnings for snow and ice across much of the country, particularly in Scotland and northern England, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
France: Massive Power Outages and School Closures
In France, Storm Goretti caused power outages affecting approximately 320,000 households, mainly in northern Normandy. By Saturday, authorities reported that around 100,000 homes remained without electricity.
- Wind speeds reached up to 216 km/h in some areas.
- Trees were uprooted, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.
- Schools were closed in several regions, while ports and roads were temporarily shut down.
Germany and Central Europe Also Hit
Northern Germany faced electricity, transport, and communication disruptions due to Storm Elli, which brought heavy snowfall and strong winds.
- Schools were closed in several cities.
- Long-distance rail services were suspended.
Severe conditions were also reported across Central and Eastern Europe, where air traffic was disrupted from the Czech Republic to Russia. In Moscow, more than 300 flights were cancelled across the city’s four main airports.
Authorities Issue Urgent Warnings
Meteorological agencies across Europe have issued alerts for hurricane-force winds and heavy snowfall, urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel and follow emergency guidance as conditions remain dangerous.
