Cornwall Struggles with Power and Water Outages in Storm Goretti's Aftermath
Published 12 January 2026
Highlights
- Thousands of homes in Cornwall remain without power and water four days after Storm Goretti, with 1,250 properties still affected.
- South West Water reported unprecedented damage to its network, with major water mains severely impacted by uprooted trees.
- MP Andrew George has called for a national emergency, criticizing the government's response compared to similar events in other regions.
- Emergency response efforts are ongoing, with bottled water stations set up and repair works continuing to restore services.
- The government has coordinated with local authorities and emergency responders to address the crisis, with 98% of affected customers now having power restored.
Thousands of residents in Cornwall are grappling with prolonged power and water outages following the devastating impact of Storm Goretti. Four days after the storm unleashed winds nearing 100mph, approximately 1,250 homes remain without electricity, primarily around Helston, according to National Grid. South West Water (SWW) has also reported significant disruptions, with major water mains damaged by fallen trees, affecting thousands of homes.
Unprecedented Damage to Infrastructure
The storm's ferocity left a trail of destruction, with SWW's water services director, Sam Bottomley, describing the damage as "unprecedented." He noted that 30 to 40 trees had toppled onto water mains, severely impacting the supply network. Despite these challenges, efforts to restore services are underway, with SWW reconnecting most affected customers and setting up bottled water stations across the region.
Calls for National Emergency
St Ives MP Andrew George has been vocal in his criticism of the government's response, urging for a national emergency declaration. "If this happened in London or the home counties, it would have been headline national news," George stated, highlighting the disparity in response efforts. His calls have led to emergency meetings with water companies and government officials to expedite restoration efforts.
Government and Local Response
The government has been working closely with local authorities, network engineers, and emergency responders to address the crisis. A No 10 spokesperson acknowledged the difficulties faced by Cornwall's communities and emphasized ongoing efforts to restore essential services. The Cabinet Office has coordinated a multi-organization response, with 98% of affected customers now having power restored.
What this might mean
As restoration efforts continue, the focus will likely shift to assessing the long-term impact of Storm Goretti on Cornwall's infrastructure. The government's response may come under further scrutiny, especially if disparities in emergency declarations between regions persist. Experts suggest that future policy discussions could center around improving resilience and response strategies for rural areas disproportionately affected by severe weather events.
