Beyond the Food Van: The Heavy Reality of Storm Goretti and the Blueprint for Town Resilience ⛈️🚐
- Salt Wind Catering
- Jan 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 14
When the red weather warnings for Storm Goretti were issued, emergency plans across Cornwall were pushed from theory into a brutal reality.
As a proud member of NCASS (The Nationwide Caterers Association)—the UK’s professional body for independent food businesses—Salt Wind Catering was officially deployed and paid on behalf of the National Grid to provide emergency welfare support. We were fully operational and on-site in Penryn within 3 hours of the call.
However, over the four days that followed, it became clear that we were far more than a food station; we were the primary support system and a solitary information point for a community in crisis.
The Front Line: A Community at Breaking Point
We didn't just witness a power cut; we saw a community pushed to its limits. Our staff stepped beyond their roles as chefs to become a shoulder to lean on for people who felt entirely abandoned.
The common, crushing concern shared by everyone we met was the total lack of information. Residents were left in the dark, both literally and figuratively.
The Human Toll: It was a daily occurrence to have residents in tears at our station. We saw elderly residents and families forced to sit in their cars for hours on end just to run the heater to stay warm and charge their phones. We spent our nights filling hot water bottles for the elderly and for parents who were simply trying to keep their children warm through the freezing nights.
The Economic Impact: We stood as a witness to the backbone of our region. We were visited by multiple farmers throughout the week, each facing devastating and unique issues. We listened to a local dairy farmer explain how he was forced to pour £2,000 worth of milk down the drain due to the power failure. For our farmers, the storm was a direct threat to their livelihoods and the welfare of their livestock.
The Reality of the Response: Critical Failures
From a logistical and leadership standpoint, several failures in the community emergency response in Cornwall left residents feeling forgotten:
Zero Direction or Signage: No designated site or signage was provided by authorities. We had to choose our own location to set up. Without official direction, we relied entirely on word-of-mouth and our own outreach to let people know storm emergency welfare support was available.
Absence of Leadership: Throughout the four days on-site, we did not encounter any elected representatives, including MPs, local councillors, or Cornwall councillors, present at the welfare station to support residents or coordinate information on the ground.
Communication Breakdown: The official text message systems failed. To fill this gap, our office staff worked solely on social media and coordinated with local radio, TV, and newspapers to provide the updates people desperately needed.
What We’ve Learned & How We Are Improving
We are committed to being part of the solution for local emergency resilience planning. Based on our time on the ground, we are evolving our service:
Investment in a New Mobile Kitchen: Over the coming year, we are investing in a mobile kitchen specifically designed for rapid response. This will significantly increase our capacity to serve high volumes of hot food in the most challenging conditions.
Independent Communication Hub: We are equipping our unit with independent Starlink satellite internet to provide a "Public Wi-Fi & Information Point" for residents when local mobile masts and home broadband are down.
Information Taskforce: We have formalised our office-based "Response Team" to act as a 24/7 information bridge, ensuring vital updates are pushed out through every available analogue and digital channel when official systems fail.
The "Command Hub" Model: A Blueprint for the Future
Moving forward, we believe towns need a "Command Hub" model rather than just a food station. We suggest the following be integrated into new emergency plans:
📍 Strategic Zonal Hubs: Identification of multiple pre-vetted locations across the town to allow for rapid, localised deployment.
📞 Priority "Red Flag" Hotline & Delivery: A manned phone line to coordinate hot meal and water deliveries directly to the homes of the elderly and vulnerable who cannot physically reach the hub.
⚡ Self-Sustaining Infrastructure: Utilising our self-sufficient emergency catering in Cornwall which provides its own power, gas, and water, ensuring the Hub stays live even if the local grid is offline.
📜 Analogue Communication: A backup strategy including physical signage and pre-approved access permits for emergency vehicles to ensure we aren't delayed by road closures.
🤝 Vulnerability Mapping & Volunteer Coordination: Working with the council to use "Red Flag" lists, allowing us to coordinate with local volunteers to proactively check on residents at their doorsteps.
Partnering for a Resilient Future
The lessons of the past week have changed how we view our role. Our staff were more than chefs; they provided the human connection and stability people needed when official systems failed them.
We are sharing these insights because we believe that with a few strategic shifts, no resident has to feel forgotten or uninformed in a crisis again. We are ready to help turn these lessons into a blueprint for a more resilient town—one that doesn't just feed people, but truly supports them.
📩 Contact Salt Wind Catering to discuss how these lessons can help strengthen your town's future emergency response strategy.