Three months after Storm Goretti swept across Cornwall in January, residents and key sites are still navigating its lasting impact. The storm, which brought winds of 100mph, caused widespread devastation, particularly affecting St Michael's Mount and leaving many without essential services.

On St Michael's Mount, a tidal island, the extent of the damage remains visibly stark. Senior gardener Jack Beesley described the morning after as "shocking," with 80% of the island's tree cover, including towering Monterey pines, obliterated. While efforts have been made to prepare for Easter visitors, a full recovery is anticipated to take "a month or more." Looking ahead, Beesley and Ian Marsh, National Trust's assistant director for the south-west, suggest a strategic pause to consider future replanting given the threat of more frequent extreme weather events. This includes exploring adaptation, doing things differently, and potentially allowing nature to regenerate in some areas.

Beyond the island, communities across Cornwall continue to grapple with the storm's aftermath. Power outages were a significant issue, with downed cables leaving many without electricity, heating, or communication for extended periods. Bridget Wagstafe, a shop worker, and her children have moved into their fourth temporary home after a tree struck their cottage a few miles inland from St Michael's Mount. She expressed distress, noting that her yard still holds ruined belongings and tree debris. Cornwall Council stated it generally recovers costs incurred for emergency work on dangerous buildings from the owner, a policy Wagstafe called "a slap in the face."

Compensation for power outages has also sparked contention. Cornwall councillor Juliet Line reported numerous complaints, particularly from those whose electricity briefly flickered on, making them ineligible for payments. National Grid Electricity Distribution confirmed it was processing the final claims, adhering to Ofgem rules that classify Goretti as a "category 2" storm, meaning compensation applies only to customers without power for over 48 hours from the reported outage. Line criticised these rules as "very unfair," highlighting the importance of robust infrastructure and expressing concern that "faraway Westminster" might overlook the south-west's needs.

In response to infrastructure vulnerabilities, some individuals are taking proactive measures. Sam Kirby, a digital marketing consultant and volunteer coastguard from the Lizard peninsula, invested in satellite broadband and a powerful solar charger for resilience. He noted that many others have also transitioned to satellite broadband since the storm. Amidst the challenges, Kerry Rice, a learning manager at St Michael’s Mount, finds a unique perspective, offering children storm-felled twigs as souvenirs, framing Goretti as a new chapter in the historic site's story.