Scenes of devastation after Storm Goretti ripped through Cornwall

MASSIVE cleanup operation was launched across Cornwall after Storm Goretti left a trail of destruction in its wake.

- BY CORNISHMAN REPORTER

A tree collapsed on to a house in Penzance Penzance Council

Strong winds reportedly in excess of 120mph and heavy rain swept the peninsula on Thursday night, with westernmost Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly bearing the brunt and subject to a rare Met Office red weather warning.

The storm blew over hundreds of trees across the region, pulling down power lines, damaging water mains and hitting homes and other properties, including the Cornish Pirates’ stadium in Penzance.

The Mennaye was caught up in the severe weather, with gusts of wind tearing off chunks of the main grandstand roof, which the club has said could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to repair.

The Go! St Just Gym and Sports Centre, on Cape Cornwall Road in St Just, was forced to close on safety grounds after the sports hall’s roof was damaged by the wind.

A trustee of the sports centre said he could feel “the whole building shaking for hours” as Storm Goretti tore holes in the roof.

The was also a lucky escape for some residents of Goldsithney when a tree fell on their home.