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Storm Austen has left over 10,000 households without electricity as it continues to lash southern England and Wales, with further severe weather anticipated this weekend. The storm, which is the first to be named this season, brought winds reaching speeds of up to 84mph (135km/h) in Jersey. These intense conditions caused significant disruption, including fallen trees blocking roads and railway lines across southern England, complicating travel for many.
One notable impact of the storm was the partial collapse of Brighton’s historic West Pier, a long-abandoned structure that originally opened in 1866. Waves battered the pier until a section crumbled into the sea, an event witnessed and recorded by onlookers. Stephen Royle, a resident living opposite the pier, described the waves as “enormous” and admitted he was “shocked” by how much of the structure was lost to the sea. Meanwhile, in the Channel Islands, the storm prompted the closure of all schools on Jersey and Guernsey, with some schools in Cornwall either closing or delaying their start. The storm’s arrival prompted early evacuations of holiday park visitors in Perranporth, Cornwall. Among those evacuated, Hannah Dawson-Turk shared with the BBC her experience, stating, “The night before last, it sounded like our caravan was going to be ripped apart,” and described the ongoing storm as “very loud” with “huge” waves visible from their hotel window.
Efforts to restore power have been substantial, with the National Grid reporting that over 60,000 properties have had electricity restored since the storm began. However, some ferry routes between the UK and France have been cancelled, compounding supply concerns on the Channel Islands, where shortages of fresh food are anticipated due to disrupted ferry schedules. Mark Cox, the head of the Co-op in the Channel Islands, noted, “It’s rare we get this level of disruption to storms backing up so quickly and probably a little bit more heavier than what we’ve had to deal with in the past.” In addition, flights at Jersey Airport have been halted until at least 5pm, and Cornwall Airport Newquay has advised passengers to check with their airlines before travelling. Exeter Airport has also seen numerous cancellations, and train services across the UK are expected to face ongoing disruptions through the weekend.
Looking ahead, the UK braces for more stormy conditions as Storm Boelo is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds, particularly affecting Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland. The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for these regions, predicting gusts of 60-70mph with exposed coastal areas possibly facing winds escalating to 80mph. The Central Lowlands of Scotland may also experience significant impacts as winds funnel through the area. Additional yellow wind warnings cover Orkney, northern England, and much of Northern Ireland, where gusts of up to 75mph and isolated spikes up to 80mph are expected. The Met Office has cautioned that the severe winds may cause further power outages and travel disruption, while persistent rain raises the risk of localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions. Residents, especially those near coastal areas, have been urged to secure outdoor belongings and remain indoors when possible to stay safe during the storms
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