Storm Austin batters southern UK: more than 15,000 homes without power, part of Brighton's West Pier collapses

The key facts

More than 15,000 homes without electricity; National Grid reported power restored to more than 60,000 properties
Gusts of up to 84 mph in Jersey and 76 mph in Guernsey; flight and ferry cancellations and rail disruption
Amber warning issued for Saturday and Sunday due to Storm Bert: gusts of 60–70 mph, up to 80 mph on the coast

Aftermath of Storm Austin

Storm Austin, the first named storm of the season, continues to batter southern England and Wales. More than 15,000 homes remain without electricity. National Grid said engineers have restored power to more than 60,000 homes since the storm began. Wind gusts reached 84 mph (135 km/h) in Jersey, and according to the head of the Jersey Meteorological Service, Paul Aked, gusts in Guernsey reached 76 mph (122 km/h) — a severe storm, force nine on the Beaufort scale. Residents told BBC Radio Guernsey they could hear the wind thundering through their homes.

Transport and evacuation

The storm made landfall in the south-west overnight and moved eastwards through the day. All schools in Jersey and Guernsey closed, and some schools in Cornwall closed or started later. On Thursday afternoon, ahead of the storm's peak, families were evacuated from a campsite in Perranporth (Cornwall). One evacuee, Hannah Dawson-Turk, told the BBC that the day before 'it felt like our caravan was about to be torn apart'. Some ferry services between the UK and France have been cancelled; National Rail reported services running at reduced speeds on many routes. Jersey Airport said flights would not operate 'until at least 17:00', Newquay Airport urged passengers to check with airlines, and Exeter Airport's departure boards showed numerous cancellations. Rail operators are warning of likely disruption over the weekend.

West Pier collapse

In Brighton, part of the derelict West Pier — a structure opened in 1866 and closed to the public in 1975 — collapsed into the sea under the pounding of large waves. Witnesses filmed the collapse. Stephen Royle, who lives opposite, described the waves as 'huge' and said he was shocked by how much of the pier ended up in the sea. For some, the pier's remains remain a symbol of Brighton.

Supply problems in the Channel Islands

Shortages of fresh produce are expected in the Channel Islands in the coming days due to the lack of ferry services, said Mark Cox, head of Co-op in the islands. He said: 'It is rare to have this level of disruption from storms coming in quick succession, and probably slightly stronger than those we have had to deal with before'.

Storm Bert and weekend warnings

Storm Bert is expected on Saturday, bringing more strong winds and rain. The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for Saturday and Sunday covering most of Scotland (excluding the Northern Isles), the far north of Northern Ireland and England. Gusts of 60–70 mph are forecast, up to 80 mph on exposed coastal areas; disruption from strengthening winds is possible in the Central Lowlands. Yellow warnings are in force for Orkney, the rest of Northern Ireland and northern England, where gusts of 55–75 mph are possible, with some up to 80 mph. Heavy rain is expected, dangerous driving conditions due to spray and standing water, a risk of localised flooding, and possible further power cuts. The Met Office advises drivers to take care, secure loose items around homes, and people in coastal areas to exercise caution and stay indoors where possible.

Government stockpile advice

The storm coincided with the publication of general government guidance advising households to keep a three-day supply of tinned food and bottled water in case of a crisis such as war, a cyber attack or a natural disaster. Mayor Andy Burnham said: 'This is not about panic buying... It is about sensible measures — having enough at home to get through a difficult situation'. Last month the National Audit Office warned that the UK's food supply chain is at risk from the growing threat of cyber attacks and the climate crisis, and that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has in recent years done too little to improve the resilience of supply chains.