The Met Office has urged households across 38 areas to stock up on torches and batteries as Storm Austen threatens to unleash power cuts and ferocious winds exceeding 70mph on Friday. A yellow weather warning has been issued for parts of England and Wales on October 23, with gusts of 50-60mph expected and winds of 70mph or more potentially battering exposed coastal spots.
Preparation advice for potential power cuts
Forecasters have warned of a "slight chance" of power cuts, which could knock out other vital services including mobile phone coverage. In guidance issued alongside the warning, the Met Office said: "People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."
Brits are being told to keep their mobile phones fully charged for emergency calls and to keep fridges and freezers firmly shut should the power go down. The Met Office is also urging people to check on elderly neighbours and to switch off appliances such as irons, ovens, electric fires and fryers, which could become a fire hazard once power is restored.
Wind warning details and risks
The yellow weather warning cautions: "A period of strong winds may lead to damaging gusts and transport disruption." Along with potential power outages, forecasters warn of a slight risk of structural damage to buildings, including roof tiles being dislodged, as well as a small possibility of injuries or life-threatening incidents caused by flying debris. Travellers could face lengthy delays or cancellations on roads, railways, air routes and ferry services, with some roads and bridges potentially closing altogether.
The Met Office warned: "Strong west to northwesterly winds may spread across southern parts of England and Wales on Friday. Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible and some coastal or exposed areas could see 70 mph or more, but at this time there is uncertainty in where the strongest winds will be. There will be some periods of heavy rain which will make travel more difficult. Whilst it will remain breezy the winds will probably ease late morning into the early afternoon."
Safety measures and affected areas
Residents have been urged to check for any loose items outside their homes and think about securing bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences. Coastal dwellers have been cautioned to stay vigilant of large waves, with the Met Office highlighting that breaking waves can knock people off their feet and drag them into the sea.
The warning carries a low likelihood of between 10% and 25%, though the potential impact has been classified as significant. The 38 areas under the yellow weather warning include Herefordshire in the West Midlands; Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton and West Sussex in London and South East England; Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Torbay and Wiltshire in South West England; and Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan in Wales.
