Devon and Cornwall brace for Storm Austin — the first named storm of the season

Residents and businesses in Devon and Cornwall are taking safety measures ahead of Storm Austin, which, according to the Met Office forecast, will bring gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and heavy rain from Thursday evening. A yellow warning has been issued and upgraded to amber for Friday.

Sevara AzamovaFirst published on tafs uz 3 min read
Devon and Cornwall brace for Storm Austin — the first named storm of the season

The key facts

  • Storm Austin is the first named storm of the season in the UK, with gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h)
  • Amber warning for Cornwall from 03:00 to 10:00 on Friday, yellow for Devon, Cornwall, south Wales and southern England
  • Businesses and residents are preparing after damage from Storm Goretti in January

Storm Austin approaches

Residents and businesses in Devon and Cornwall are taking extra safety measures ahead of the first named storm of the season — Austin. According to the Met Office, gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and heavy rain are expected from Thursday evening in parts of Cornwall and Devon. Conditions will also affect parts of Wales, the south coast of England, Wiltshire and Somerset, prompting two weather warnings for Friday.

Met Office warnings

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for Friday from 00:00 to 14:00 BST, covering Devon, Cornwall, south Wales, the south coast of England, Wiltshire and Somerset, with likely transport disruption and possible wind damage. From 03:00 to 10:00 the warning for Cornwall is upgraded to amber; possible consequences include power cuts and damage to buildings. The agency advises checking and securing loose items around homes: bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences.

Lessons from Storm Goretti

The owners of The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth beach are taking special measures after the venue was damaged by Storm Goretti in January. Jamie-Lee Job said the wind physically lifted several glass panels and smashed them across the roof canopy. 'It was quite scary — we've been through a lot of storms, but we underestimated that one,' she said. Staff are securing parts of the building so that 'the roof stays in place'.

Residents and authorities prepare

Residents of Perranporth are stocking up on torches, candles, flasks and rechargeable radios in case of power cuts. Cornwall Council urged people to prepare for the storm and avoid exposed coastal areas on Thursday evening and Friday: 'Strong winds and large waves can make conditions extremely dangerous.' Camborne rugby club will close its grounds for at least 24 hours from 15:00 on Thursday. In Devon, the Pebbleridge Kitchen café is securing furniture and lowering shutters — Royal George Group operations manager Josie Tennant called the preparation 'a well-rehearsed process' after last winter.

Response services

The RNLI reminded people to take 'extreme care' near the shore, especially on exposed cliffs and promenades. RNLI coxswain from Appledore Simon McCarthy said the crew is ready to launch 'at any moment', boats have been additionally secured, and all-weather lifeboats are used more often during amber warnings. 'The sea always wins,' he added. Devon County Council will deploy extra staff in the network control centre to monitor the situation; cabinet member for highways Dan Thomas noted the risk of falling trees and branches, as many trees are still in leaf due to the dry weather. The Dartmouth Food Festival has moved part of its events from Friday to Saturday morning.

A man with black curly hair uses a drill on a piece of wood on a glass panel. He is wearing shorts, a black T-shirt and a yellow high-vis jacket. He has a tattoo on his left arm and has his back to the camera.
Image caption,

Staff at Perranporth's Watering Hole bar have secured parts of the building before Storm Austen

A woman called Jamie-Lee Job. She appears to be squinting. She has shoulder-length brown hair which has blonde highlights in it. Her sunglasses are propped on top of her head. She has make up on.
Image caption,

Jamie-Lee Job said The Watering Hole lost a lot of glass panelling during Storm Goretti in January

A green and white roof canopy that has been shredded by bad weather
Image caption,

The Watering Hole was badly damaged by a storm in January

A woman wearing a coat stands with exposed grassy cliffs behind her. Her hair is blowing in the wind.
Image caption,

Josie Tennant said the Pebbleridge Kitchen in Devon had a plan in place for the high winds

RNLI Coxswain Simon McCarthy is seen wearing a yellow RNLI coat inside the lifeboat station.
Image caption,

RNLI Coxswain Simon McCarthy said his crew was ready to go out at any time

A wave crashes against the shoreline with grey sky overheadFallen tree over a road with workmen trying to cut up and clear the branches from the road. Pedestrians walking around the treeA fallen tree in Falmouth Road, Truro. The tree has fallen on a house. There are orange cones in front of it. The sky is blue with clouds.

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