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With the arrival of the UK’s first named storm of the season, heightened safety measures are being implemented by individuals and businesses in anticipation of Storm Austen. The Met Office has forecast strong winds reaching up to 80 mph (130 km/h) accompanied by heavy rainfall beginning Thursday night, primarily affecting parts of Cornwall and Devon. Additional areas such as Wales, the south coast of England, Wiltshire, and Somerset are also expected to experience severe weather conditions. This has prompted the issuance of two official weather warnings for Friday.
In Cornwall, businesses like The Watering Hole bar at Perranporth Beach are taking extra steps to safeguard their premises. Following damage sustained from Storm Goretti in January, the bar’s owner Jamie-Lee Job recounted how several glass panels were lifted by the wind and crashed through the roof canopy. Preparing for Storm Austen, the staff have reinforced sections of the building to prevent similar damage. Job shared, “It was quite scary, we’ve survived a lot of storms but that particular storm we underestimated how bad it was going to be.” She emphasized their cautious approach this time, adding, “So for this one we are doing everything we can do to make sure everything is secure and hopefully the roof stays on for this one.”
Locals in Perranporth have also been making preparations by stockpiling essentials in case of power outages caused by the storm. Chris Eves mentioned, “We’ve got loads of torches and candles and lots of flasks so we should be OK.” Another resident expressed plans to “hunker down,” bringing candles, rechargeable lights, and even a gas-fired pizza oven to withstand potential disruptions. She also noted her intention to avoid storing valuable items in the freezer to reduce losses if a power cut occurs.
Public authorities have issued warnings and taken precautionary measures in response. Cornwall Council advised people to avoid exposed coastal areas on Thursday evening and Friday due to dangerous strong winds and large waves. Camborne Rugby Club announced a temporary closure of its grounds and clubhouse starting Thursday afternoon, while Newquay Business Improvement District canceled the planned Zombie Crawl event on Saturday. The RNLI has urged caution for anyone near the shoreline, with Appledore RNLI’s Coxswain Simon McCarthy confirming that crews are prepared and lifeboats are secured ahead of the storm. Devon County Council is also gearing up with additional staff to manage any weather-related issues, and Councillor Dan Thomas stressed the need for vigilance on roads due to the risk of fallen branches amid the unsettled weather. Meanwhile, the Dartmouth Food Festival has postponed some activities from Friday to Saturday morning as a result of the storm forecast
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