Storm Goretti Cornwall: Safe in Massive 123mph
Storm Goretti Cornwall: Last week, the storm we the faced was nothing short of historic. This wasn’t just a typical winter gale; meteorologists described it as a “weather bomb” that brought a rare Red Weather Warning and hurricane-force gusts peaking at an incredible 123mph in Padstow.
While the rest of the county hunkered down behind locked doors, the reality for social care providers is that we don’t have the option to simply close. For the Green Light team, the priority remained exactly where it always is: ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people we support.
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The Operational Impact of Storm Goretti Cornwall Wide
Jo, Oriana & Ryan celebrating the moment the power finally came back on at Penrose Farm after Storm Goretti! 💡 (Sunday 11th Jan 2026)
The storm presented a massive operational challenge that tested our contingency plans to the limit. With over 50,000 properties across the South West losing power and major roads blocked by fallen trees, just keeping our homes running required a monumental effort.
The logistics of the Storm Goretti Cornwall event were complex. Behind the scenes, our on-call managers and suppliers scrambled to keep water, heat, and fire safety systems online. Their quick actions ensured that, despite the chaos outside, our homes remained safe, warm, and functional. Back-up power packs were deployed, emergency supplies were distributed, and communication lines were kept open against the odds.
Our “Green Light Storm Troopers”
However, the true resilience of Green Light isn’t found in our infrastructure or our buildings, but in our people.
Getting to work became a logistical nightmare, with debris littering the roads and public transport suspended. Yet, our team members found a way. We are acutely aware that for many of our staff, coming in meant leaving their own families who were dealing with their own power cuts, damaged homes, and school closures.
To prioritise the safety of the people we support, while managing their own personal worries at home, speaks volumes about their professionalism. We have affectionately dubbed them our “Green Light Storm Troopers”.
Supporting Autism During Storm Goretti Cornwall
Trevassack Lake Holiday Accommodation became a temporary home for Penrose Farm on Sunday after extended power outages (pic via Eben)
For individuals with autism and learning disabilities, a storm of this magnitude can be particularly distressing. The environment changed rapidly—the sensory overload of howling winds, the sudden darkness of power cuts, and the disruption to important daily routines can be incredibly worrying.
The greatest success of the last few days was not just keeping the lights on, but keeping the anxiety caused by dramatic change down. Our teams managed to provide a calm, safe, and reassuring presence, acting as a buffer against the storm. They provided stimulating activities, taking account of sensory needs, and ensured that despite the howling wind outside, the atmosphere inside remained warm and welcoming.
A Community Effort: Thank You
We want to publicly thank every member of our workforce for their incredible initiative and care during a very tough week. Events like the Storm Goretti Cornwall crisis prove how tight-knit our community really is.
We would also like to thank the following local suppliers who worked with us to restore heat, power, WiFi, fire systems, and offer alternative accommodation at very short notice:
- Matt at Livingstone Electrics: For restoring power when it mattered most.
- The team at Trevassack Lakes: For offering emergency alternative accommodation.
- Paul Pallagrass – PHP Property Services for getting the water back on at Huthnance.
- Christian Brown: For assistance with welfare checks.
- Golant Fire Services: For getting our fire systems back on line.
And to the countless other unsung heroes whose efforts helped us weather this particular storm… Thank you all!