Cornwall residents ‘prayed for protection’ as Storm Goretti hit

Recalling Thursday night, Lidgard described a struggle to get one of her neighbours out of his caravan as concerns mounted over surrounding trees.

“Suddenly there were people outside with torches,” she said.

“They were getting him out because they could hear the trees creaking.

“As they all went out the tree did come out and smash into his caravan so it was a very lucky escape.”

Lidgard said she was used to storms – as many are in Cornwall – but Goretti, which drew a rare Met Office red warning, was different.

“I don’t believe anybody believed how bad it would be,” she said.

“We’re Christians and, to be honest, we were both praying. I was praying for protection from the trees behind us.

“I believe God had his hand over us and protected us that night.”

Further along the trail of destruction in Mullion on the Lizard Peninsula was The Old Inn which became a refuge for villagers who had lost power and internet on Thursday night.