Storm Austen brings power cuts and travel disruption as Boelo approaches

Storm Austen has caused power cuts and widespread travel disruption across southern Britain, with fallen trees blocking roads and railway lines and part of Brighton’s West Pier collapsing into the sea. More severe weather is forecast as Storm Boelo moves in over the weekend.

The National Grid said engineers had restored power to more than 60,000 properties since Austen began. The BBC reported that more than 10,000 homes were still without electricity at the time of its report.

Austen brought gusts of up to 84mph (135km/h) to Jersey. Some ferry services between Britain and France were cancelled, National Rail warned of slower journeys, and Jersey Airport said flights would not operate until at least 17:00. Cornwall Airport Newquay advised passengers to check with their airline.

In Brighton, waves battered the remains of the West Pier, which closed in 1975. A section fell into the sea. The pier is an abandoned structure and a local landmark.

Storm Boelo is forecast to bring further strong winds and heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday. The Met Office has issued an amber wind warning for parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, with gusts of 60–70mph expected and up to 80mph possible in exposed coastal areas. Yellow warnings cover other parts of the region.

Heavy rain is also forecast across the UK on Saturday, bringing a risk of hazardous driving conditions and localised flooding. The BBC reported that train operators had warned of further disruption over the weekend.