An ITV News presenter was left fighting to stay on her feet as she delivered a live report from the heart of Storm Goretti's fury. The dramatic moment unfolded during Thursday evening's broadcast, highlighting the immense power of the weather system battering the UK.
Live On Air Battle With The Elements
During the ITV News at Six bulletin on Thursday, 9 January 2026, national anchor Charlene White introduced reports from several locations severely impacted by the storm. West of England reporter Sangita Lal, broadcasting live from Cornwall, immediately appeared visibly buffeted by the conditions.
"The winds have just picked up in the last few minutes here," Lal told viewers, struggling to remain upright. "They're forecast to reach 40 miles per hour; it feels a lot stronger than that already. I'm having to hold on to stand up." She described the rain lashing her face and a sudden drop in temperature as the intense winds coincided with a high tide, raising fears of coastal flooding.
Nationwide Disruption From Rare Red Warning
The Met Office had issued a rare red weather warning for the so-called "weather bomb," leading to severe travel disruption across the country. Dozens of flights were cancelled, including services at London Heathrow, and hundreds of train services were axed. Several roads were also closed due to the dangerous conditions.
From other storm-affected areas, reporters detailed the escalating crisis. In Brecon, Mid Wales, Whys Williams faced similar challenges, while in Hathersage in the Peak District, Jonathan Brown reported on heavy snowfall. He stated that parts of the Peak District could see up to 30 centimetres of snow, with multiple high-altitude roads closed and the Manchester to Sheffield rail line shut until Saturday at the earliest.
Further Warnings Issued For The Weekend
In the wake of the Thursday broadcast, the Met Office extended its alerts. A Yellow snow and ice warning was issued for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Midlands, active from Friday evening into Saturday morning. A separate Yellow ice warning covered vast swathes of England and Wales.
The forecast warned that temperatures plunging below freezing would create icy stretches on untreated surfaces, with further wintry showers likely. The report from Cornwall, where Sangita Lal exemplified the storm's raw power, underscored the significant ongoing risk to public safety and infrastructure posed by Storm Goretti.
