Falmouth, United Kingdom - January 09, 2026 RNLI volunteers from Falmouth lifeboat station were called into action on the evening of Storm Goretti to assist multiple people in difficulty aboard vessels. The county faced hurricane-strength winds during a rare red Met Office weather warning. Pagers sounded around 7:10 pm as vessels began breaking free from their moorings with people aboard. Volunteers launched their Shannon class lifeboat amid extreme conditions, working alongside the Falmouth pilot vessel, Falmouth Harbour, and Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team. Over three hours, the crew responded to seven separate incidents. Conditions were brutal, with northwesterly winds reaching hurricane strength, large harbour waves, driving rain, and hail. Coxswain Nick Head said: “The conditions were very tricky with 90mph winds, torrential rain and hail, and it was certainly the worst weather conditions I’ve been out in as coxswain.” The lifeboat pontoon and other harbour structures suffered damage, but the lifeboat remains fully operational. RNLI Area Operations Manager Dickon Berriman praised the volunteers: “While most of us were in the warmth and safety of our homes last night, our dedicated volunteer crews spent hours at sea in the dark helping people in difficulty, contending with horrendous conditions brought on by Storm Goretti, the worst Cornwall has seen in many years. Their courage, selflessness and dedication is incredible.” Although the storm has passed, large swells and debris remain along the coastline. Vessel owners are urged to check moorings and monitor weather reports before any passage.