Storm Austen brings flooding risk and power disruption warnings

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Storm Austen is expected to bring flooding, strong winds and heavy rain to South Devon and the South West on Friday 23 October.

Storm Austen is expected to hit South Devon and the South West on Friday 23 October, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and large waves. The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings for exposed coastal areas including Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and Dawlish, where flooding is expected from around high tide. Flood alerts have also been issued from Start Point to Dawlish Warren, covering areas such as Torbay, Teignmouth and Paignton.

Met Office forecasters predict wind gusts of up to 70mph, with parts of Cornwall and Devon placed under amber wind warnings on Friday morning. A yellow wind warning covers the wider South West region. The Environment Agency has advised the public to avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water and to take care during the storm.

National Grid has warned that the extreme weather could disrupt power supplies across the South West and South Wales. The company said its electricity network is built to be resilient but that extreme weather can impact supplies, and it will have engineers ready to respond. National Grid is advising residents to keep torches, fully charged mobile phones and external battery packs on hand, along with a wind-up or battery-powered radio. People are also urged to check on vulnerable neighbours.

How it is being reported

• National Grid warns Storm Austen could disrupt power supplies in South WestThe storm is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the South West and South Wales on Friday, October 23.Exmouth Journal · 22 Oct, 16:23
• Flooding 'expected' on South Devon coast as Storm Austen approachesThere could be major disruption over the next 24 hoursDevonLive · 22 Oct, 13:42

In this story: Storm Austen · South Devon · South West · Beesands · Dawlish · Environment Agency · National Grid

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem