Devon and Cornwall prepare for Storm Austen as amber warning takes effect

Businesses, councils and emergency crews in Devon and Cornwall are preparing for Storm Austen, with strong winds and heavy rain forecast from Thursday night and weather warnings in force on Friday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning from midnight to 14:00 BST, covering Devon, Cornwall, south Wales, England’s south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset. In Cornwall, the warning rises to amber from 03:00 to 10:00, when power cuts and building damage are among the possible impacts. The Met Office says transport disruption is likely and damaging winds are possible in some areas.

At The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth Beach, staff have secured parts of the building after Storm Goretti damaged it in January. Jamie-Lee Job said the earlier storm lifted glass panels into a roof canopy, leaving the bar more cautious ahead of Austen. An earlier report on the amber warning gives the forecast gusts and the warning’s timing.

People in Perranporth said they had stocked up on torches, candles and other supplies in case of power cuts. Cornwall Council urged people to prepare and avoid exposed coastal areas on Thursday evening and Friday, warning that strong winds and large waves could make conditions dangerous.

Local organisations are also changing plans. Camborne Rugby Club said its grounds would close from 15:00 on Thursday and its clubhouse from about 22:00. Newquay’s Saturday Zombie Crawl parade has been cancelled, while Dartmouth Food Festival organisers have moved some Friday events to Saturday morning.

In Devon, the Pebbleridge Kitchen near Northern Burrows Country Park is moving outdoor furniture against the building and lowering shutters. Devon County Council said extra staff would monitor conditions and co-ordinate responses, warning that trees still in leaf could bring a risk of fallen trees and branches on roads.

The RNLI has urged people to take extreme care along exposed cliffs and seafronts. Appledore lifeboat crew are securing boats and monitoring the storm, coxswain Simon McCarthy said, with crew available if needed.