Storm Austen has prompted 19 flood alerts across the UK, with heavy rain and strong winds expected to batter the country over the next 48 hours. The Environment Agency has identified the areas most at risk as the storm makes landfall in the early hours.
Flood Alerts Issued Across England and Scotland
On Thursday, flood alerts were issued for 19 areas, with eight in England and almost a dozen in Scotland. The alerts cover regions including the South Devon coast at Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish, as well as Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh in Scotland.
Other English alerts include the west and east coasts of Dorset, Christchurch Harbour, the River Churnet and River Tean, the Lower River Soar in Leicestershire, and the River Stour and Smestow Brook. Scottish alerts span Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee and Angus, Edinburgh and Lothians, Fife, Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside, Scottish Borders, Tayside, and West Central Scotland.
Severe Weather Warnings in Force
The far southwest of England could see wind speeds reaching 90mph, while coastal areas under yellow warnings may experience gusts of 70mph. An Amber Wind Warning covers Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth, and parts of west Devon from 1:00am to 10:00am on Friday.
Yellow Wind and Rain Warnings are valid for swathes of southern England, south Wales, the English Channel coast, and parts of Scotland. A rare Red Warning has been issued for the Channel Islands, with schools closed there on Friday.
Up to 80mm of rain is expected to hit, the equivalent of one month's rainfall for the capital. The Met Office warns of road, rail, air and ferry services being affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Power cuts may occur, potentially affecting other services such as mobile phone coverage.
Met Office Advice and Weekend Storm
The Met Office urges people living under the yellow rain warning to consider preparing a "flood plan and an emergency flood kit". It has published advice regarding what to include in an emergency kit.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: "Storm Austen is expected to bring a spell of impactful weather to parts of the UK from Thursday night and through Friday."
"While there remains some uncertainty in the exact track of the storm, there is increasing confidence in the potential for disruptive winds across parts of southwest England, which is why an Amber warning has been issued. Winds gusts could potentially reach 60-70 mph for a time, and these strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. People in affected areas should keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings as the event develops."
Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as "impactful winds".
