Residents and businesses across Devon and Cornwall are implementing protective measures ahead of Storm Austen, which is set to deliver gusts reaching 80mph (130km/h) and torrential rain from Thursday evening into Friday. According to BBC News, the severe weather system will affect large swathes of the south-west alongside parts of Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset, prompting the Met Office to issue two weather warnings for Friday.
The storm represents the first named weather system of the season, with the Met Office warning that Storm Austen is expected to undergo "explosive cyclogenesis," with its central pressure forecast to fall by at least 24 hectopascals in 24 hours, bringing potentially dangerous conditions to exposed areas.
Businesses that endured damage from previous winter storms are taking no chances this time. Staff at The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth Beach in Cornwall have been securing structural elements after the venue suffered significant losses during Storm Goretti in January, when high winds physically lifted glass panels and sent them crashing through a roof canopy.
Jamie-Lee Job, who works at the establishment, described the earlier incident as frightening and acknowledged that the team had underestimated the storm's severity.
"It was quite scary, we've survived a lot of storms but that particular storm we underestimated how bad it was going to be,"Job said.
"It is a reminder to us all to best err on the side of caution. 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."
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering Devon, Cornwall, south Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset, running from 00:00 until 14:00 BST on Friday, with forecasts of transport disruption and possible damaging winds in some areas. The updated amber warning extends across all of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Devon including Plymouth, warning of likely travel disruption, possible building damage and power cuts, with this elevated alert running from 03:00 until 10:00 on Friday.
What precautions should residents take?
The Met Office is advising people to make preparations to protect their property and prevent injury. The agency recommends checking for loose items outside homes and securing them, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences. The Met Office forecasts 20–30 mm of rain in many places, with higher totals possible over western high ground and farther north.
Residents in Perranporth have been stockpiling supplies in preparation for potential power outages. Chris Eves said he had gathered torches, candles and flasks to manage if electricity was lost. Another local resident described her preparations to "hunker down," noting she had assembled candles, a rechargeable radio, rechargeable lights, a gas-fired pizza oven and was considering purchasing a primus stove. She added that she was also removing expensive items from her freezer to minimise losses in the event of a power cut.
In Devon, the Pebbleridge Kitchen near Northern Burrows Country Park has established storm protocols following challenging conditions last winter. Josie Tennant, operations manager across the Royal George Group which operates the cafe, explained that the team moves all furniture against the building to prevent items from being blown away and causing harm, ensures shutters are fully closed to prevent rain being driven into the structure, and monitors weather alerts closely.
"We're super exposed here so we make sure all the furniture is against the building so that anything moving around is not moving too far so it can't hurt anyone,"Tennant said.
"We also make sure all the shutters are down so the rain is not being driven into the building and then we are looking out for red alerts as well."She added that manager Sam knows precisely what steps to take to maintain building safety and protect both staff and customers.
How are emergency services preparing?
The RNLI has issued guidance for those along the coast to exercise extreme caution if visiting the shoreline, particularly along exposed cliffs and seafronts. Appledore RNLI Coxswain Simon McCarthy stated that his crew was prepared to launch rescue operations "at any time" and was securing its boats with additional lashings while monitoring storm development.
"With the amber warning, it means the all-weather lifeboats are more called upon,"McCarthy explained.
"The inshore boats have got their limitations, so we have to make sure we have crew available."He stressed the importance of public responsibility, adding:
"We really do want people to be sensible. The sea will always win."
Devon County Council has announced it will deploy additional staff to its Network Operations Control Centre to monitor conditions and coordinate responses to weather-related incidents. Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, urged residents to monitor forecasts and plan ahead, noting that
"With many trees still in leaf following the dry weather, there is a risk of fallen trees and branches on our roads."
Cornwall Council has issued a warning urging residents to prepare before the storm arrives and to avoid exposed coastal areas on Thursday evening and Friday.
"Strong winds and large waves could make conditions extremely dangerous,"the council stated. Camborne Rugby Club announced it would close its grounds for at least 24 hours from 15:00 on Thursday, with the clubhouse shutting from approximately 22:00.
What happens next?
The Met Office forecasts winds to ease gradually on Friday afternoon and evening, while further periods of wind and rain are likely over the weekend and into early next week. Dartmouth Food Festival has already been affected, with organisers postponing some events scheduled for Friday to Saturday morning.
Key Facts:
- Storm Austen will bring gusts of up to 80mph and heavy rain from Thursday night into Friday across Devon, Cornwall, Wales, southern England, Wiltshire and Somerset
- An amber weather warning is in effect for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Devon from 03:00 to 10:00 BST on Friday, with warnings of power cuts and building damage
- Businesses and residents are implementing protective measures following damage caused by Storm Goretti in January
- Emergency services including the RNLI and Devon County Council have mobilised additional resources to respond to weather-related incidents
- Further unsettled weather is expected over the weekend and into early next week following the main storm system
