A large section of Brighton's historic West Pier collapsed into the sea on Friday as Storm Austen battered the UK coast, with onlookers watching as more of the fire-damaged structure was lost to the waves.
The once-popular attraction, which was set alight in 2003, had its skeletal remains pounded by waves and wind during the afternoon. Social media videos circulated on Friday showed part of the pier falling into the sea as it was struck by tall stormy waves.
Storm Causes Widespread Disruption
Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, has brought severe conditions to parts of the South West, with a gust of 76mph recorded at St Mary's Airport on the Isles of Scilly on Friday morning. Around 31,000 homes have been left without power as parts of Britain continue to be battered, with further disruption expected across the weekend.
A spokesperson for the National Grid confirmed that more than 30,000 homes were without power in the South West, and that engineers had restored power to more than 52,000 properties since Storm Austen began.
Historian Warns of Pier's Future
Professor Fred Grey, an honorary historian at the West Pier Trust, said: "Storm Austen has caused more of Brighton's West Pier to collapse into the sea.
"Ever since the two devastating arson attacks in 2003, the West Pier has been whittled away by nature. All ruins are alive and ever-changing, and this is true of the West Pier."
He added: "Everyone should stay at a safe distance and watch the battle between pier and the elements. We don't know when the pier will eventually disappear beneath the waves, but disappear it will."
Government Warns of Winter Flooding
The Prime Minister has warned that the UK could face "a winter of greater flooding" and said we are living in a world where "unexpected events" are "more and more common". Andy Burnham made the comments as he attended a summit organised to learn from the summer's record wildfires.
Mr Burnham told reporters: "No, we are having the conversation with people about being better prepared because we're living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common.
"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.
"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."
Weather Warnings and Travel Disruption
The Met Office had issued an amber warning for wind, covering Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly, which was in effect from 1am until 10am on Friday. Forecasters said strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain, though gusts in the area will gradually ease over Friday.
Yellow weather warnings have been issued for the whole of mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and the far north of England from 12pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday. There will be "widespread gusts" of 55-65mph widely, with these reaching up to 70-80mph in more exposed coastal locations, the Met Office added.
Network Rail Scotland said trains will be slowed down on Friday and over the weekend to keep people safe in the areas expected to see the heaviest rain. Early on Friday, Southern Rail announced a lightning strike at Normans Bay prevented trains from stopping at the station. National Rail said in a post on X that the weather warning meant fewer trains would call at Ryde Pier Head until 6pm on Friday.
A separate yellow warning for wind, covering Northern Ireland from 10am on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday, predicts gusts of 50-60mph, with up to 65-75mph in exposed regions. Another yellow weather warning for large parts of England, the North West and North Wales is in place from 10am on Friday until 9pm. Rain will be heaviest in southern and eastern Scotland, where a yellow weather warning has been issued from 7am to midnight on Friday, with accumulations of 20-40mm expected and 60-80mm possible in some locations, the Met Office said.
