The new year has delivered a ferocious start for parts of Europe, with the first named storm of 2026 unleashing chaos from France to the Balkans. Dubbed Storm Goretti, this powerful weather system brought destructive winds, heavy snow, and widespread disruption, impacting several nations popular with Australian travellers.
A 'Weather Bomb' Unleashed
Storm Goretti began as a low-pressure system in the Atlantic Ocean before being propelled eastwards by the jet stream. It rapidly intensified into what analysts called a 'weather bomb,' with the French meteorological service, Meteo France, assigning it the name Goretti as it headed for peak intensity over northern France.
The storm proved as severe as forecast. On January 9, 2026, gusts reaching a staggering 216km/h tore through northern France, with the Normandy region bearing the brunt. The powerful winds and colossal waves battered coastlines and harbours, leading to a massive blackout. Nearly 400,000 homes lost electricity during the onslaught.
Widespread Travel Chaos and Damage
The storm's impact was felt across multiple countries. In France, emergency services were inundated clearing roads blocked by fallen trees. The transport network seized up, with hundreds of flights and trains cancelled and schools forced to close. The disruption spread to neighbouring Netherlands and Germany, where Volkswagen temporarily shut its Wolfsburg plant due to the bleak conditions.
The British Isles were not spared. On the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, uprooted trees smashed house roofs and parked cars. Tragically, one man died in Cornwall after a tree collapsed onto his caravan. The storm devastated the iconic St Michael's Mount, destroying almost 100 trees, including historic pines and firs planted before Queen Victoria's reign. Wales, central England, and western Scotland were also hammered, leaving tens of thousands without power.
Community Response and a Brief Respite
Mercifully, widespread media warnings meant most people heeded advice to stay indoors, and no serious injuries were reported in France. As community clean-ups began and insurance claims were lodged, some residents found a silver lining. In the brief calm between Storm Goretti and forecasted flooding from melting snow and rain, children and adults alike were seen skiing and tobogganing on snow-covered hills and streets.
The storm finally petered out after affecting regions as far east as the Balkans and Hungary. In Hungary, the military was deployed to assist motorists caught in the heaviest snowfall seen there in 15 years, marking a dramatic end to a severe cross-continental weather event.
