WATCH: Storm Goretti sweeps in across the South - Live Blog Updated: 09.01.2025 @12:33

Storm Goretti has left flood warnings in place across the South.

Storm Goretti has left flood warnings in place across the South.

The Environment Agency says residents need to act now, with warnings at Climping and Pevensey Bay, where flooding has already been reported.

Sussex Police are reminding motorists to be extra careful on the roads today due to debris from trees.

Ferries between Newhaven and Dieppe are cancelled until five.

Power cuts were reported overnight in St Leonards, Uckfield, Catsfield and parts of Worthing.

People are also encouraged to check in on elderly neighbours or those with health conditions, ensure homes are adequately heated, and keep torches and mobile phones charged in case of power outages.

The Met Office says conditions should gradually improve later on Friday, but cold weather is expected to continue into the weekend.

V2 News - LIVE BLOG🔴by Philip Keeler

09/01/2026:

• 12:33 - UK Health Security Agency has extended its amber cold-health alert until midday on Monday.
  People across the South are being reminded to check in on vulnerable friends, family members and neighbours as colder conditions continue.
• 11:38 - Listeners of V2 Radio reporting, that two vehicle's have crashed on the A24 northbound at the A283, this is the Storrington road at the Washington Roundabout.
• 11:28 - Reports of flooding in Steyning on The Street.  
• 10:15 - Sussex Police: Warning motorists to be extra careful on the roads as some routes are flooded and tree branches may cause obstructions.
• 10:00 - Environment Agency: Flood warning for Barcombe Mills on the River Ouse, act now! 

  Flooding is expected on 09 January 2026 from 07:30, as a lot of rain fell in Storm Goretti (30mm). 

  Flooding will affect fields (extensively). Barcombe Mills road and Anchor Lane are likely to be impassable. The Anchor Inn is expected to flood. Scattered showers could continue thorugh Friday as Storm Goretti passes through the area. River levels and flood risk should begin to reduce by 04:00 10/01/2026. Saturday should remain fairly dry, but more intense rainfall could return on Sunday. 

  We are closely monitoring the situation and operating our structures at Anchor Gates and Barcombe Mills. 

  Activate any flood protection products you may have , including at Barcombe Mills. Avoid Barcombe Mills Road and Anchor Lane. 

• 09:56 - Environment Agency: Flood warning for Climping, act now! 

  Water will flow westwards along Mill Lane and Climping Street (from the right of the East car park) ponding in Climping Street Car Park, near to properties, and in nearby land and fields. Friday's tide at 15:15 09/01/2026 is forecast to be 102 cm lower (2.22 mAOD). Subsequent tides will continue to fall. Provided the beach is still in good condition following Storm Goretti, flood risk should reduce. 

  We are closely monitoring the situation . We routinely check the condition of the beach at Climping. 

  Activate any flood protection products you may have . Access could be restricted. Take care if visiting Climping beach. 

• 09:53 - Environment Agency: Flood warning for Pevensey seafront, act now! 

  A small number of beach top properties from Sovereign Harbour to Cooden Beach, including (but not exclusively) the Parade and Promenade, Pevensey Bay, Beachlands, Normans Bay and Herbrand Walk could be flooded. Coastal roads may be affected by water, shingle and other debris. Friday's tide at 14:45 09/01/2026 is forecast to be 106 cm lower (2.86 mAOD). Provided the beach is still in good condition, flood risk should reduce. 

  We are checking flood defences at low tide we will check and maintain the condition of Pevensey beach. 

  Don't put yourself or others at risk Danger - stormy seas. Avoid Pevensey beach and Herbrand Walk at high tide. 

• 09:40 - Power cuts overnight, possibly due to the storm, but unconfirmed, outages in St Leonards, Uckfield, Catsfield and parts of Worthing.
• 09:37 - West Sussex Fire and Rescue: updating us on news of an incident in Lancing: “We were called at 5.44pm on Thursday (8 January) to reports of a fire in Ariel Court, Lancing.

  “Joint Fire Control mobilised two fire engines to the scene.

  “Upon arrival crews carried out an investigation of the building and found no signs of fire.

  “Crews left the scene at 6.12pm.”

• 08:50 - Flooding on Balcombe Mills Road near Ringmer, reports say it is just passable, please be careful. 
• 08:41 - SSEN say there's a power cut in the Loxwood area due to an overhead power line coming down, they hope to have power restored by 14:00. 
• 08:36 - Fallen trees block Shillinglee Road near Fisherstreet.  There's also a fallen tree blocking the B2070 near Liss.
• 08:00 - Met Office yellow weather warning for strong winds ends.
• 07:52 - Reports of snow currently falling on higher ground; this will soon turn to sleet and rain.
• 07:50 - In Cooden near Hastings, Westcourt Drive, the road is blocked due to flooding.  Please follow detour signs.
• 07:45 - The A27 is blocked near Falmer due to a crash westbound at the junction of the A23 Patcham interchange to A2038. (This has now cleared. @08:33)
• 07:38 - Ferry operator DFDS has cancelled the following sailings today:  Portsmouth 09:00 → Arrive Jersey 20:00.  Saint Malo 12:50 → Arrive Jersey 13:45.  Jersey 14:45 → Arrive Saint Malo 17:40.
• 07:25 - A collision on the A27 westbound, Havant into Portsmouth at the junction with the A2030 has closed 2 lanes.
• 07:10 - Good morning Philip Keeler here, it's Friday and the morning after the storm. The newsdesk is open, let me know your weather reports, travel information or any incidents, email news@v2radio.co.uk you can also call or text the studio on 01243 963960.

08/01/2026

• 22:31 - Thank you for joining me this evening. Live coverage of the aftermath of Storm Goretti will begin again in the morning.
• 22:30 - Southern Railway say: "Due to severe weather between Eastbourne and Ashford International means that trains have to run at a reduced speed on all lines. Trains running between these stations may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.

  "Disruption is expected until the end of service."

• 21:47 - Wind speed in Felpham recorded as 52 knots / 60mph (storm force 10)
• 20:49 - One lane is closed on the A34 southbound between the A343 and the A303 after a vehicle left the road. Update this has now cleared at 21:53.
• 20:02 - BA2525 landing at London Gatwick at 20:05 from Jersey has been cancelled.
• 19:23 - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks say an unplanned power cut in the Highleigh and Ham areas affecting 113 properties should be back on at 22:00.
• 19:09 - Flood warning for South Hayling and South Eastoke seafront from the Environment Agency.  This means flooding is expected - act now.

  High tides are expected to cause flooding on Friday. 

  Flooding is expected for 2 hours either side of Friday's early morning tide at 03:00 on 09/01/2026.. 

  Storm Goretti increases tide table values by 0.82 m. Total forecast tide is 5.27 metres Chart Datum (2.54 mAOD) at Portsmouth with strong North Westerly Force 7 wind. South Hayling beach (towards Eastoke) is low. Water could push further up the beach than normal. Property at Eastoke corner, near the nature reserve, and at Southwood Road may flood. Overtopping of splash walls along the beach front may flood gardens. Beach huts at West Beach, near the Inn on the beach may also be affected.

  Friday's tide at 15:15 09/01/2026 is forecast to be 95 cm lower (1.57 mAOD).

• 18:40 - Flood warning for Pevensey seafront from the Environment Agency.  This means flooding is expected - act now.
• High tides are expected to cause flooding on Friday. Flooding is expected for 2 hours either side of Friday's early morning tide at 02:30 on 09/01/2026 Storm Goretti increases tide table values by 0.91 m. The total forecast tide is 7.57 metres Chart Datum (3.92 mAOD) at Eastbourne. Severe Gale Force 9 Westerly wind. A small number of beach top properties from Sovereign Harbour to Cooden Beach, including (but not exclusively) the Parade and Promenade, Pevensey Bay, Beachlands, Normans Bay and Herbrand Walk could be flooded. Coastal roads may be affected by water, shingle and other debris. Friday's tide at 14:45 09/01/2026 is forecast to be 106 cm lower (2.86 mAOD). Provided the beach is still in good condition, flood risk should reduce. 

• 18:31 - Flood Warning for Climping from the Environment Agency.  This means flooding is expected - act now. 

  High tides are expected to cause flooding on Friday. 

  Flooding is expected for 2 hours either side of Friday's early morning tide at 03:00 on 09/01/2026. 

  Storm Goretti increases tide table values by 0.83 m. Total forecast tide is 6.29 metres Chart Datum (3.24 mAOD) at Littlehampton. Gale Force 8 North Westerly wind. Waves will overtop the sea front. Water will flow westwards along Mill Lane and Climping Street (from the right of the East car park) ponding in Climping Street Car Park, near to properties, and in nearby land and fields. Friday's tide at 15:15 09/01/2026 is forecast to be 102 cm lower (2.22 mAOD). Subsequent tides will continue to fall. Provided the beach is still in good condition following Storm Goretti, flood risk should reduce. 

• 18:27 - Severe Weather Resilience Adviser at National Highways Darren Clark said: “National Highways’ winter operation has been in full swing for several months and continues as we prepare for Storm Goretti, described as a ‘multi-hazard’ weather event by the Met Office.

  “Our teams work alongside Met Office meteorologists so that we can get our 530 gritters out to where they are needed most. So far this year we have carried out 4,500 gritting runs across the country. Drivers can also take some simple steps to avoid any delays or breakdowns including preparing their vehicle by topping up on fuel and screenwash and checking tyres, as well as keeping your distance and avoiding sudden braking.”

• 17:39 - The first band of rain will clear in the next hour or so, but the strongest winds are just ahead of the next rain band.
• 17:22 - Statement from West Sussex County Council regarding Storm Goretti: 

  A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “Following forecasts for Storm Goretti, our fleet of 20 gritters will be deployed for the 23rd time this winter at around 2am on 9 January. They will focus on major routes and key access roads to hospitals and emergency services to help reduce the risk of ice forming.

   “In addition, more than 800 salt bins across West Sussex are available for community use, and many parish and town councils support local winter maintenance through their own salting plans.

   “We encourage parents and carers to monitor their emails and school social media channels for any updates on potential school closures linked to the storm. They can also check the school’s listings page on our website which can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/schools-and-colleges.”

• 17:06 - The weather is set to get a lot more windy from around 20:00 and through the night, please let us know on our Facebook www.facebook.com/V2RadioSussex and X x.com/V2RadioSussex accounts of any weather related issues or your weather reports.
• 16:41 - Wight Link Ferry service is running with no issues right now.
• 16:37 - DFDS has cancelled tonight's and tomorrow morning's sailings between Newhaven and Dieppe.
• 16:34 - Traffic is generally moving as normal for this time of day. In Portsmouth, there are delays of around ten minutes on the M275 southbound between the M27 and junction 1.
• 15:43 - National Trust is warning people to keep away from coastal areas such as Birling Gap.
• 15:00 - Met Office yellow weather warning for wind comes into force, and finishes at 08:00am on Friday.
• 14:00 - Coastguard warns to stay away from beach areas, as waves become stronger.
• 12:55 - Full storm coverage begins. Good afternoon, I'm Philip Keeler, and I will be bringing you updates throughout this afternoon, tonight and following day. Rain bands begin as Storm Goretti moves into the South.  

Watch these LIVE UK webcams as Storm Goretti sweeps in across the UK:

Useful links:

S&S Electricity Networks - Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks - SSEN

UK Power Networks - https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/

Southern Gas Networks - Homepage | SGN Your gas. Our network.

Southern Railway, service updates - Train Service Updates | Train Service Status | Southern Railway