NEWSROOM

Storm Goretti caused widespread disruption, including over 10,000 power outages across Shropshire; more locally, there were school closures and reports of fallen trees, which reached around 400 and are still rising.

Air temperatures stayed below zero for two consecutive weeks until 11 January, making some local roads impassable for heavy waste vehicles already operating on tight schedules and gritters worked around the clock, using over 1,500 tonnes of salt from 1 January, around half of the Council’s winter stock.

At the height of the storm, the winter response team monitored data from weather stations, radar systems, the Met Office, and other sources around the clock. Duty officer at the time, Lewis Elliott, and the team’s decisions ensured that the Council’s response on the ground was timely and effective, in close coordination with partners Balfour Beatty and Idverde.

Despite these challenges, the combined efforts of residents and Council teams helped to significantly reduce the impact. Council‑run bus services were maintained thanks to key gritting routes being kept clear, and waste collections were brought back on track to return to normal by the end of this week, assuming no further disruption.

The high winds led to more than 400 reports of fallen trees, many involving multiple trees. An additional team has been drafted in, and lane‑closure permits have been fast‑tracked to accelerate work to make the main roads and carrying out overnight clearance to minimise disruption for residents. A team has been deployed to the Silkin Way.

Storm Goretti ranked among the most severe weather events in recent memory. In early January 2026, forecasts predicted up to 30 cm of snow for Shropshire alongside amber weather warnings. The impact saw some areas experience up to 20 cm of heavy snow, persistent ice, high winds, and driving rain, causing widespread disruption across Shropshire.

By comparison, during the March 2018 storm known as the “Beast from the East,” Telford recorded 11 cm of snow on 18 March and 7 cm on 3 March, with localised drifts exceeding six feet (approx. 1.8 m) on rural roads, underlining the severity of Storm Goretti.

The Council advised that the River Severn had peaked and that the worst of the storm had passed without the need for flood barriers. However, persistent rainfall and consistently high water levels remained a concern. The council continued to monitor river conditions closely and was in regular contact with the Environment Agency.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement said: “We are proud of the tireless work of our crews, who can always be relied upon when it counts. This response shows our commitment to keeping the borough safe and working closely with our community.

“We are also grateful to residents for reporting issues and showing patience, and to the snow wardens who helped clear footpaths and support communities beyond the reach of gritter lorries. Together, we’ve managed a challenging situation and are now well on the way to normality.”

Councillor Overton concluded: “We cannot control the weather, but we can prepare for it. Our priority is to keep people safe and services running, whatever the conditions. The response from those involved highlights the borough’s resilience and the strength of its community.”