Storm Goretti Devastates St Michael’s Mount: Iconic Cornwall Landmark Faces Years of Recovery

Historic Tidal Island Suffers Unprecedented Storm Damage

St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island in Mount’s Bay near Penzance, Cornwall, linked to the town of Marazion by a causeway of granite setts, has been left devastated following the impact of Storm Goretti this week. The island bore the brunt of the devastating storm, seeing up to 80 per cent of its trees felled, marking one of the most severe weather events to hit the historic landmark in living memory.

The rocky island has just 31 residents, all of whom were evacuated, but saw almost 100 trees torn down in the hurricane-like conditions, as gale-force winds ripped roofs off houses. The local weather station recorded winds of 111mph on Thursday evening before a power cut that lasted until Friday morning, demonstrating the exceptional severity of the storm’s impact.

Unprecedented Scale of Destruction

The island’s head gardener, Darren Little, stated that the damage was 10 times worse than any other storm that he has seen in his decades on the island, and that he was heartbroken to see the devastation caused. The scale of destruction has raised concerns that the clean-up operation could take years to complete, potentially affecting visitor access to one of Cornwall’s most beloved attractions.

The island is managed by the National Trust, and the castle and chapel have been the home of the St Aubyn family since around 1650. St Michael’s Mount is an iconic filming location and has featured in movies such as the James Bond film Never Say Never Again and Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English, whilst the Game of Thrones prequel, House of Dragons, has also been filmed on the island.

Significance for Cornwall’s Tourism and Heritage

The devastation to St Michael’s Mount represents not only a significant loss to Cornwall’s natural heritage but also poses challenges for the region’s tourism industry. St Michael’s Mount is one of 43 unbridged tidal islands accessible by foot from mainland Britain, making it a unique destination that attracts thousands of visitors annually.

Recovery efforts are now underway, with teams working to clear pathways and assess the full extent of the damage. The resilience of this historic community, which has weathered centuries of storms, will once again be tested as residents and conservationists work together to restore this cherished Cornish landmark to its former glory.