James Kelly
BBC Your Voice

Hannah Dawson-Turk and her husband and son are staying at a hotel near Whipsiderry Beach in Cornwall after being evacuated from Haven’s Perran Sands site in Perranporth yesterday afternoon.

"Everyone was removed at 14:00 so we had to find last-minute accommodation. It’s really disappointing because we had such a lovely place to stay," she tells the BBC.

"But the night before last, it sounded like our caravan was going to be ripped apart, so it was probably wise to move everyone before the storm hit.

"The storm is very loud outside now, and the waves look huge from our windows. The hotel also appears to have suffered damage: we can see part of the roof on the floor and smashed glass. We still have power at the moment."

A Haven spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that it had decided to close its Perran Sands and Riviere Sands holiday parks.

"Anyone staying on the park is being asked to leave and we’ll be delaying arrivals. We’re communicating directly with everyone affected about their options and will offer those due to arrive on Friday a break at another Haven park or a later arrival in Cornwall.

"We’re really sorry that people’s breaks are being disrupted but safety of our guests and team comes first".

Emily Wood
BBC Weather

The Met Office says strong winds in the Channel Islands should start to "ease off" for the rest of the day, after they received a red warning for wind overnight and all schools had to close today.

Officers have put two warnings in place for Storm Austin in the UK, after the amber warning ended at 10:00 BST and some parts of the country saw really strong gusts of wind - some over 70mph (110km/h) in the early hours.

Gusts of 76pmh (120km/h) were recorded in Saint Mary's in the Isle of Scilly.

There is now a yellow wind warning for parts of south west England, parts of Wales and along the south coast, where there is still the risk of further strong and gusty winds.

Then for later on today, there is a yellow warning for parts of southern England, where winds will not be as strong as earlier, but could see inland gales up to 55-65pmh (90-105km/h).

On Saturday, Storm Boelo is forecast to bring more strong winds. The impact is expected to be on more northern parts of the country.

The Met Office has implemented an amber warning for wind on Saturday to cover parts of Scotland, parts of northern England and parts of Northern Ireland.

The strongest gusts are expected overnight from Saturday into Sunday, with gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) predicted around exposed coast and headlands.

There is also a wider yellow warning for wind covering more of Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England tomorrow.

Devon County Council's highways team says the A39 Torridge Bridge has reopened.

It had been closed by the authority due to the strong winds from Storm Austen.

Joshua Askew
Journalist, BBC South East

A section of Brighton's West Pier has fallen into the sea during the wet and windy weather.

In footage obtained by the BBC, one side of the famous landmark in the East Sussex city can be seen collapsing into the water as it is battered by large waves.

The pier - which first opened in 1866 - attracted two million visitors at its peak, though its popularity declined after World War Two.

The pier closed to the public in 1975 and grew increasingly derelict but the ruined structure became a symbol of Brighton for some.

Major sections fell into the sea during storms in late 2002, while two separate fires the following year destroyed most of what remained.

Subsequent storms have destroyed its iron frame even further.

Bosses at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre say the building in Guernsey has been damaged by Storm Austen.

It says the site will have to remain closed for the time being, although a conference scheduled at the centre later will still be going ahead with guests asked to use the concourse entrance.

"Our team is currently assessing the situation and we will share an update as soon as possible regarding the reopening of the centre later today, and whether the later swimming lessons can take place," a post on Facebook says.

Trees are blocking the route on several train lines in Devon and Cornwall causing cancellations, according to GWR.

A tree has come down on the line near Crediton, blocking the route between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, and "is too large to be moved quickly and safely, and so specialist teams are needed to assist", GWR said.

Disruption is expected until 14:15 BST and passengers have been told their tickets will be accepted on bus services instead.

Trains between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton have been suspended because of the risk of falling debris.

Another tree was blocking the railway between Westbury and Castle Cary.

Reduced hourly services were running between Truro and Falmouth Docks, via Penryn, because of another tree near the line.

Trains between Penzance and Taunton have to run at reduced speed on all lines, and trains may be cancelled or delayed by up to 90 minutes, GWR said.

Passengers are advised to check with the train operator for updates.

Peter Sawyer, who runs a surf shop in Westward Ho!, says it was not a day for surfing in Devon.

"North West winds on the north coast are absolutely phenomenally horrible," he says.

He adds: "Put the surf board away, stay in and cuddle the dog, have an extra coffee."

Indy Almroth-Wright
BBC South

Travel between the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire coast has ground to a halt due to the weather.

The forecast severe weather expected through Friday has stopped Island Line trains along Ryde Pier.

A minibus has been brought in to shuttle passengers back and forth from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier Head to the Wightlink FastCat to and from Portsmouth.

Red Funnel's Southampton Town Quay to West Cowes Red Jet has also been halted. The vehicle ferry service is still running to timetable.

Wightlink has also cancelled a number of sailings across all three of its routes on Friday, with the most severe weather expected around the middle of the day.

The weather is also disrupting Hovertravel crossings between Southsea in Portsmouth and Ryde.

Travellers are being urged to check their journey in full before setting out.

Guernsey Airport says it suffered some damage overnight due to high winds.

A post on Facebook says teams from Guernsey Ports carried out inspections to assess the extent of the damage.

Airport director Richard Thomasson says staff will be going to check the site at about 12:00 to 12:30 BST to see if it can reopen as planned.

He says the plan is for the terminal to open at 14:00 but flights are not expected to start coming and going until at least 16:45. However, the airport will stay open later than normal if needed.

Thomasson tells BBC Radio Guernsey that airline Aurigny moved five of its ATR aircraft off island on Thursday, which means they need to come back to Guernsey.

"We're just doing final checks for the terminal now and we hope to have that open at 14:00," he says.

"We're taking every precaution possible but we are very conscious that we want to get open, allow flight to operate to get passengers moving and if we have to stay open later this evening than our published opening times then we are very keen to do that."

James Kelly
BBC Your Voice

Image source, UGC

Janet Manuel spent last night hunkered down in her holiday caravan in Beer, Devon - with husband, Hud, their son Jack, his fiancee Karyna, and Lily, their miniature Yorkshire terrier.

Janet, from Boxley in Kent, said they "hardly slept" as Storm Austen battered parts of the West Country.

She said: "We own a caravan in Beer and are here for a short break to lock it up for the winter. For most of the night it felt as if a tube train was coming through. A wild, wet and windy night.

"We can see fabulous white horses across the bay in Seaton. We're not venturing out today as still very wet and windy.

"We are all in our pyjamas. As I said, bad night."

Barra Best
BBC News NI weather presenter

While Northern Ireland has largely avoided the most severe elements of Storm Austen, two weather warnings are in place ahead of Storm Boelo this weekend.

An amber warning has been issued for counties Antrim and Londonderry for 24 hours from 21:00 BST on Saturday.

And a yellow weather warning for winds of up to 80mph (130kph) will come into place on Saturday evening.

In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann has issued an orange rain warning for County Kerry from 07:00 (local time) until 14:00 on Saturday.

The forecaster said Storm Boelo would bring spells of very heavy and intense rain, with flooding expected and damage to homes and businesses possible.

It warned of disruption and delays to rail and bus services, severe disruption to outdoor events and very difficult travelling conditions.

Ben Rich
Lead weather presenter

Northern France has been bearing the brunt of Storm Austen’s strongest winds with a gust of 100mph (161km/h) reported at Pointe du Raz in Brittany – a very exposed headland that sticks out into the Atlantic.

Other coastal areas have widely seen gusts of 75-90mph (120-145km/h), with orange warnings issued by the French forecaster, Meteo France, remaining in force across many northern parts until this evening.

As Austen moves eastwards a swathe of strong winds will also affect the coast of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Although the storm will be weakening overnight, further travel disruption is possible.

Trystan Jones
BBC West Midlands

In the West Midlands it very much feels like the calm before the storm.

A yellow weather warning is in force for us until 21:00 BST but it’s this afternoon when the wind is expected to cause disruption.

Birmingham, Coventry, Stoke-on-Trent and Shrewsbury are all expected to see gusts of over 40mph (65km/h) later in the afternoon.

The messaging from local authorities has all been around taking care if people are out and about, and warnings that transport and power lines could be affected.

A number of trees have been reported as down in Devon and Cornwall, following the strong winds from Storm Austen.

Issues have been reported in locations including Penzance and Dartmouth.

Image source, Penzance Council

Image source, Penzance Council

Image source, Samantha Williams

Image source, Ben Godfrey

Simon King
Lead weather presenter, BBC Weather

I’ve been reporting from Newquay in Cornwall this morning where wind speeds have been up to 76mph (120km/h).

With the amber warning in force the advice was to avoid going outside and keep yourself safe and out of danger.

And this is what I’ve been doing while broadcasting and reporting on Storm Austen.

I’ve been safe, staying inside shelter, only temporarily going outside. And when outside, the crew and I made sure we weren’t downwind of any other building or objects where flying debris could potentially hit us.

And while the winds were very strong, they weren’t enough to knock us over. However, we also had handrails next to us which we could have grabbed if necessary.

Dan Kerins
BBC South

A stretch of the Dorset coast is under a flood warning as Storm Austen sweeps in.

The Environment Agency (EA) has issued the warning for the coast in the Chiswell area with people urged to avoid seafronts and harbours due to wave overtopping and spray containing debris.

You can find more details here.

Venues run by National Trust in Devon and Cornwall are closed because of Storm Austen.

The charity says sites such as Saltram in Plymouth, Buckland Abbey in Yelverton and Cotehele near Saltash will not be open due to the forecasted high winds.

Across England and Wales, almost 18,000 properties are affected by power cuts at 96 places, according to the National Grid., external

Cornwall has the most with 13,000 and Devon has the second highest number at 1,700 properties.

Andy Burnham says that in the UK we "potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding," as he answered a question on preparedness.

Speaking to reporters from a summit on what lessons can be learned from this summer's record wildfires, the PM says that "we’re living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common".

He adds: “Obviously weather events – and we’re in a situation today where the UK is facing storms, and obviously we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now... it is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments.

“So we are having that conversation about resilience. That’s why we’re holding this summit today, it’s why we’re putting the guidance out to the public. We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action.”

Image source, PA Media

Tinside Lido in Plymouth says Storm Austen has led to its pool becoming rather full of water.

A post on Facebook says: "Someone tell the sea there’s a maximum capacity...

"Tinside is looking particularly full after Storm Austen this morning!"

Image source, Tinside Lido

Image source, Tinside Lido

Image source, Tinside Lido