Falmouth family 'traumatised' after losing home during Storm Goretti
A large tree crashed onto the property, which destroyed the roof and bedrooms upstairs
A family in Falmouth have been left 'traumatised' after losing their home during Storm Goretti.
Emily Hotchkiss, her partner Shaun Prynn and two children had to leave their home on Thursday last week (8 January 2026), when the red weather alert for wind hit Cornwall.
A large tree crashed onto the property at Trecarne, which destroyed the roof and whole upstairs.
Glass, leaves and dust flew through the house before neighbours helped the family leave - along with their dog, cat and bearded dragon.
The 30-year-old said: "Suddenly there was this massive crash, the tree literally fell through the house. I was just screaming and ran downstairs but couldn't see anything - dust was in my eyes".
The Mental Health Nurse added: "Shaun came through the back way. He didn't know if he was going to find us alive or dead.
"It was truly horrific. We have stared death in the face, and the psychological damage is going to take a long time to recover from."
Emily added: "Cornwall Housing are trying very hard to support us and are trying to find us a new house so we don't have to keep moving. I still haven't been contacted by Cornwall Council directly."
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by a friend of Emily, asking for money to help the family.
The fundraiser can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/local-nurse-and-family-lost-everything-from-cornish-storm?attribution_id=sl:403b52ef-7a5d-4b1c-a5a9-3e851bbe6b38&lang=en_GB&ts=1767913360&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link