Summary

Are you affected by the storm?

  1. Coast path walker ditches tent for hostel due to stormpublished at 13:37 BST

    Jenny Kumah
    BBC South West England Correspondent

    James Spiers is staying in the Droskyn Lookout Hostel in Perranporth.

    He started the coastal path in June during the heat wave and has been camping but booked into a hostel because of the storm.

    “I didn’t want to risk damaging the tent," he says.

    He adds: "If this winter ends like last winter it could just be persistent rain and storms, and, yeah, I need to be doing a lot more forward planning now for for the winter. “

    James Spiers in a winter padded coat standing by the waters edge. The waves are rolling in behind him.
  2. Tips for staying safe in strong windpublished at 13:27 BST

    • Check for loose items outside your home and secure them
    • Stay indoors as much as possible
    • If travelling, check for delays and road closures and ensure you have warm clothes and a charged phone
    • If you must drive in these conditions, travel slowly and look out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists
    • If near the coast, take care near cliff areas and beware of large waves
  3. Ice rink damaged day before openingpublished at 13:19 BST

    Jersey Development Company says the seasonal ice rink at the Weighbridge in St Helier has sustained damage during Storm Austen.

    As a result, it says the facility will not open as planned on Saturday and people with tickets can reschedule for another session.

    A post on its Facebook page says: "We will inspect the marquee on Sunday morning and hope to reopen on Sunday 25 October.

    "The safety of our visitors and staff is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding."

    Ice rink at Weighbridge in St Helier, JerseyImage source, Jersey Development Company
  4. 'I'm shocked by the amount of pier that's ended up in sea,' says Stephen in Brightonpublished at 13:09 BST

    James Kelly
    BBC Your Voice

    Stephen Royle, who lives opposite Brighton's West Pier, has captured photos and footage of Storm Austen battering the crumbling structure, which has caused significant damage.

    "It's the first thing I see when I look out of my window every day," he says.

    "I am shocked by the amount of pier that’s ended up in the sea.

    "The waves rolling in were enormous. Such a shame."

    Two still images showing the frame of Brighton's West Pier in the ocean, with the bottom image showing part of the structure missing after it collapsed in the wild weather.Image source, Stephen Royle
    Image caption,

    Brighton's West Pier before a large section on the right collapsed (top) and after part of the structure was washed away (bottom)

    A purple banner with white typeface that says 'your voice'.
  5. 'We’ve got a very bent mop'published at 13:07 BST

    Jared Evitts
    BBC Newsbeat

    The storm’s caused plenty of damage in the South West already, including at NALU Coffee House cafe in Newquay.

    “We’ve got a very bent mop, but other than that we’re all good,” says barista Cerys.

    “I think it was the wind, I think the store cupboard opened and I found the mop this morning in the car park, very bent. So I don’t know how we’re going to mop tonight.”

    Carys, 21, says it’s “very windy, very rainy” because the cafe’s near “the infamous Aldi wind tunnel” which is apparently “very well-known” in the town.

    Three women smile while having their hair blown by strong winds in Storm AustenImage source, Supplied
    Image caption,

    Carys, centre, says it has been very wet and windy in Newquay

    “Last January when we had a storm it ripped the front of the building off,” she says.

    “We can see people trying to cross the car park and struggling a lot. And can see the sea in the distance which looks pretty nuts.”

    Carys says she had to walk to work at 06:15 BST with “a lot of stopping and starting trying to fight the wind” – while her colleague Holly drove which she says “was a bit like Mario Kart, dodging all the bins in the road”.

  6. Travel advice as yellow wind warnings grips parts of England and Walespublished at 13:01 BST

    Two yellow warnings for wind are in place in the UK - one covers parts of south west England, parts of Wales and along the south coast and another is in place for later on today covering parts of southern England.

    Here is your latest on travel disruption that may affect you:

    In the skies:

    • Guernsey Airport remains closed but is expected to reopen at 14:00, with all flights cancelled until at least 16:45
    • Jersey Airport says flights are cancelled until the afternoon and passengers should check with their airline for information
    • National Rail says the Gatwick Express will be disrupted today

    On the tracks:

    • National Rail says routes are affected across England, Scotland and Wales across the weekend, with disruption possible on Monday
    • It says CrossCountry services in south-west England will be disrupted until at least the end of Saturday
    • Great Western Railway has made amendments to train services today, including fewer trains between Devon and Cornwall, and a tree currently blocking the railway between Westbury and Castle Cary
    • Some journeys with Northern Services will be amended throughout the day, and possibly for the rest of the weekend
    • For Transport for Wales, some services in west Wales will involve rail replacement buses, and there are reduced services on the Cambrian line and North Wales Coast
    • In the south, there are reduced services between Three Bridges and Brighton, and delayed between Fareham and Southampton, and Arundel and Horsham
    • On South Western Railway there is service disruption expected between Yeovil Junction and Salisbury expected until 15:00, between Weymouth and Brockenhurst until 18:00, and some disruption on long distance and mainline services

    On the seas:

    • Stena Line says some services are disrupted by the weather, including the cancellation of the 16:00 from Holyhead to Dublin and the morning ferries from Rosslare to Fishguard
    • DFDS says there are cancellations between Dunkirk and Rosslare are cancelled, as well as between Calais and Dover, and Newhaven and Dieppe
    • Wightlink says FastCat services and several Car Ferry services have been cancelled today and significant disruption is expected tomorrow from 17:00 to midnight
  7. Could we see three storms in a row?published at 12:59 BST

    Matt Taylor
    BBC Weather

    Trio of images showing where storms could hit the UK on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday

    Storm Boelo follows hot on the heels of Storm Austen later on Saturday but forecasts also show the potential for yet another deep area of low pressure to arrive later on Monday and into Tuesday.

    It's too early to say if this one will be named but it looks likely to follow a similar track to Boelo with the strongest winds focussed towards the north of the UK.

    A succession of storms is perhaps not as unusual as you think.

    When you have a strong jet stream roaring across the Atlantic as we do right now, areas of low pressure can easily be developed and steered towards the UK in quick succession.

    In February 2022 three named storms had big impacts in Northern Ireland - Eunice, Dudley and Franklin.

    A fourth storm is looking unlikely though as our weather quietens down through the week.

  8. 'It sounded like our caravan was going to be ripped apart'published at 12:47 BST

    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".

    BBC Your Voice
  9. Further risks of strong winds in England and Wales today, with gusts of up to 80mph possible tomorrowpublished at 12:46 BST

    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.

  10. Bridge reopenspublished at 12:34 BST

    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.

  11. Part of Brighton's iconic West Pier collapsespublished at 12:30 BST
    Breaking

    Joshua Askew
    Journalist, BBC South East

    Media caption,

    Part of Brighton's iconic West Pier collapses

    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.

  12. Leisure centre damaged in Guernseypublished at 12:27 BST

    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.

    Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in Guernsey
  13. Trees blocking rail lines in Cornwall and Devonpublished at 12:17 BST

    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.

  14. 'Put the surf board away'published at 12:13 BST

    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."

  15. Isle of Wight travel hit by stormpublished at 12:11 BST

    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.

  16. Guernsey Airport hoping to reopen soonpublished at 12:01 BST

    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."

  17. 'A wild, wet and windy night' in Devonpublished at 11:56 BST

    James Kelly
    BBC Your Voice

    Janet Manuel's miniature Yorkshire terrier is sat in a dog bed, which is in front of a window with rain droplets on. Grass, hills and the sea can be seen faintly in the backgroundImage source, UGC
    Image caption,

    Janet Manuel's miniature Yorkshire terrier is keeping dry amid Storm Austen

    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."

    BBC Your Voice banner
  18. Two weather warnings for Northern Ireland as Storm Boelo approachespublished at 11:56 BST

    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.

  19. Storm Austen batters northern Francepublished at 11:45 BST

    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.

    Map showing the path of Storm Austen through France and the south of the UK
  20. Is it the calm before the storm in the West Midlands?published at 11:42 BST

    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.