Storm Goretti Batters Northern Europe, Crippling Travel and Power Networks

A ferocious winter storm paralyzes northern Europe, shutting down trains, grounding flights, and cutting power. Will the chaos ease by weekend’s end?

, and Administrator

2026 January 11 . 1:23 AM

1 min read

This picture shows couple of buildings and we see few people walking and few are standing and we... — This picture shows couple of buildings and we see few people walking and few are standing and we see few of them holding umbrellas in their hands and we see trees and a water fountain and we see a cloudy Sky.

Storm Goretti Batters Northern Europe, Crippling Travel and Power Networks

Storm 'Goretti'—known as 'Elli' in Germany—has swept across northern Europe, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy snow and widespread disruption. Travel chaos has spread from France to Germany and the UK, with rail, air and road networks severely affected.

The storm first hit northwest France, leaving around 380,000 households without power. The Flamanville nuclear plant shut down as a precaution, though officials confirmed no risk to the public or environment. Staff worked remotely while the facility remained offline.

In Germany, Deutsche Bahn halted all long-distance trains in northern regions until Sunday. Major routes—including Berlin to the Ruhr via Hanover and Hamburg to Frankfurt—were cancelled. Local rail services in the greater Germany area also stopped until at least midday Friday, stranding passengers. The cruise ship AIDAnova altered its course, skipping its final stop in Southampton and returning early to Germany. Meanwhile, Birmingham Airport suspended operations due to blizzard conditions, forcing multiple flight diversions. Sports events were also disrupted, with the Bundesliga match between St. Pauli and RB Leipzig called off. Despite the chaos, meteorologists stressed that 'Goretti' was not an exceptional storm by historical standards.

The storm’s impact will last through the weekend, with rail cancellations extending until Sunday. Power crews in France are working to restore electricity, while transport hubs across Germany and the UK face delays. Authorities continue to warn of icy roads and further travel disruptions.