The sister of the only person killed during Storm Goretti has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her brother, describing him as a 'gentle giant'. James Southey, 50, died after a tree fell onto his caravan during hurricane-force winds in Cornwall.
A Tragic Incident in Mawgan
James Southey was staying in a caravan on a remote farm in Mawgan, Cornwall, when the fatal incident occurred on the weekend of January 10-11, 2026. During the extreme winds brought by Storm Goretti, a tree collapsed onto his mobile home, trapping him inside. Emergency services attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His devastated sister shared the news on social media, writing: 'Absolutely devastated to share the tragic news of the death of my brother James. We are all in shock and struggling to come to terms with this very sad news.'
She added a poignant personal note about her brother's character: 'He was a gentle giant who would do anything for anyone. We will miss him dearly.' The family thanked the community for their support and kind words during this difficult time.
Community Remembers a 'Lovely Bloke'
Local residents in Cornwall expressed their shock and sadness. One person told local media: 'I’ve seen him before and I’ve said hello, but I didn’t know him personally. He was a lovely bloke – quiet but happy.'
It is understood that Mr. Southey, who lived alone in his caravan, had two children and was deeply fond of his mobile home lifestyle. Another friend posted online, saying: 'James was such a gentle kind family man, with a lot of love to share. How missed he will be.'
Widespread Disruption from the Storm
Storm Goretti caused significant disruption across the UK, particularly in the south-west of England. The Met Office issued a rare red warning for 'dangerous, stormy' winds, with gusts recorded at almost 100mph.
The aftermath of the storm led to multiple issues:
- More than 12,000 properties were still without power on Sunday evening, according to the National Grid.
- National Rail warned that disruption to train services could continue until at least Monday, January 13th.
- Flood warnings were issued across the country due to a combination of melting snow and heavy rain.
The storm's impact serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather events, with communities now facing a clean-up operation while one family mourns an irreplaceable loss.
