Storm Austen: Amber warning for Devon and Cornwall as flying debris ‘could lead to danger to life’

The Met Office has upgraded its warning for Storm Austen to amber, saying flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life.

The amber warning was published at 9.41am today (October 21), and is for wind is in force from 3am to 10am on Friday (October 23). It replaces the yellow warning issued on Tuesday (October 21), when the storm was named.

The Met Office said: “Storm Austen likely to bring some disruption and possible damaging winds on Friday morning.”

It said a spell of very strong north-westerly winds was likely, with “a good chance that gusts of 60-70 mph will develop widely for a time with perhaps some gusts around 80 mph for exposed headlands”. The winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. It will remain windy for the rest of Friday, but winds will gradually ease.

The Met Office said the warning has “a high (50-75 per cent) likelihood and a significant impact”.

The warning covers all of Cornwall and parts of Devon, including Plymouth, part of Dartmoor including Tavistock, Hartland and Ilfracombe.

What to expect

The Met Office said people should expect:

• Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected.
• Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life.
• Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
• Some roads and bridges likely to close.
• A good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
• Injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.

Tides

Predicted tide times show high tide falls inside the warning window at three Devon towns on Friday. High tide at Bideford is at 4:31am, at Plymouth at 4:21am and at Paignton at 5:11am, according to BBC tide tables for Bideford and Plymouth and Tide-Forecast.com for Paignton. The tables are predictions and do not include any effect of the storm.

Sam Whitfield, a Field Weather Expert with UK Weather Chase, told us on Tuesday (October 21) that coastal areas could be particularly vulnerable “especially where strong winds coincide with large waves and high tides”.

Advice

The Met Office said driving in these conditions can be dangerous. If people must drive, it said they should drive slowly to minimise the impact of wind gusts, be aware of high-sided vehicles and caravans on more exposed roads, be cautious when overtaking, and give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual.

“Being outside in high winds makes you more vulnerable to injury,” the Met Office said. “Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do go out, try not to walk, or shelter, close to buildings and trees.”

It said people should check for loose items outside their homes in advance of high winds, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences.

For people on the coast, the Met Office said: “Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.” It said people should take care if walking near cliffs, know their route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, it said, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The Met Office said people cope better with power cuts when they have prepared in advance, and suggested gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

It urged people to stay up to date with the weather forecast for their area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities.

Storm Austen is the first named storm of the 2026/27 season. The Met Office said on Tuesday that further periods of wind and rain were likely through the weekend and into the start of next week, with the heaviest rain more likely in western areas.