The Met Office has issued weather warnings for wind and rain ahead of Storm Austen, which is set to make landfall later today. Residents in 26 areas of Scotland are being urged to consider preparing an emergency flood kit.
Warnings in force for wind and rain
A yellow warning for wind is in place across Wales and England for Friday and Saturday, with an amber warning covering the far south-west of England. Gusts in the far south-west could reach 80mph, while coastal areas under the yellow warning may see speeds of 70mph.
Heavy rain is also expected to be a major hazard. A yellow warning for rain covers parts of north-eastern, central and southern Scotland, in force for 21 hours from 6am on Friday until midnight. Up to 80mm of rain may fall during this period.
Potential impacts and preparation advice
The warning states that flooding could damage homes and businesses, and cause train and bus cancellations. Difficult driving conditions are possible, along with power cuts.
The Met Office advises people under the yellow rain warning to consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Suggested items include insurance documents and a list of contact numbers, a torch and spare batteries, a first aid kit and prescription medicines, warm waterproof clothes and blankets, bottled water and snacks, a battery or wind-up radio, and supplies for babies or pets.
The warning also urges people to prepare for potential power cuts in advance. The Met Office says: “It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
Areas covered by the rain warning
The 26 areas covered by the rain warning are Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders and West Lothian.
Looking beyond Storm Austen, the Met Office says conditions are expected to remain unsettled through the weekend and into next week. A second storm, Storm Boelo, has been named in new wind warnings for Saturday and Sunday, covering Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern parts of England, where gusts could again reach 80mph. These warnings come into force at 6pm on Saturday and run until 9pm on Sunday.
