Storm Austen has made landfall and is causing major travel disruption, with trains cancelled or delayed and at least 86 schools either closed for the day or delaying their start time. Two flood warnings are in place along parts of the Dorset Coast and South Devon Coast, meaning flooding is expected. The Environment Agency has advised people in affected areas to "move to higher ground".
Weather warnings in force
A yellow wind warning covering south-west England, the south coast, parts of Wales and Herefordshire came into force at 10pm yesterday and runs until 5pm today. Gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely, with 70mph or more possible in some coastal and exposed areas.
Particularly severe weather has hit parts of south-west England, where an amber wind warning covers Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth until 10am. Winds of 60 to 70mph are expected widely, with gusts of around 80mph possible on exposed headlands. The Met Office has warned that flying debris could cause injuries and pose a "danger to life".
Another yellow warning for wind will come into force at 10am and run until 9pm today. It covers a much wider area across England and Wales, including London, the Midlands, the North West and parts of Yorkshire. Gusts of around 45 to 55mph are possible.
School closures in Cornwall
The 86 schools that have announced closures or late starts are in Cornwall, where the storm is expected to be at its worst. Cornwall Council has announced a list of school and college closures and delayed openings, including Archbishop Benson School opening late at 10.30am, Beacon Academy closed, and Boskenwyn School opening at 11am.
Other affected schools include Camborne Science and International Academy opening late at 11am, Falmouth Primary Academy opening late at 10.30am, and Richard Lander School opening late at 11am. Several schools, including Mawnan School, St Levan Primary School, and Nine Maidens AP Academy, are closed for the day.
Travel disruption and flood warnings
National Rail has warned that Storm Austen will cause "severe disruption" on various routes across England, Scotland and Wales today and this weekend. CrossCountry services in south-west England are disrupted until at least the end of tomorrow, with no services operating between Plymouth and Penzance today. Great Western Railway services in south-west England are disrupted today and tomorrow, with speed restrictions imposed on routes in Devon and Cornwall between the start of service and 1pm.
Several train lines are already impacted by the storm, with trees falling on railway lines across the country. There is disruption between Branksome and Bournemouth, all lines are blocked due to a tree on the railway between Uckfield and Crowborough, and services between Clandon and Effingham Junction are also impacted.
The two flood warnings cover the Dorset Coast at Chiswell and the South Devon Coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish. Eight flood alerts are in place across England. The Environment Agency says that if you are in an area covered by a flood warning, you should protect yourself and your loved ones, move to higher ground or the upper floor of a building, and turn off the gas, electricity and water in your home if it's safe.
UK Power Networks has issued a warning to avoid any overhead power lines and report them. The storm is likely to cause fallen trees and broken branches.
