Storm Austen Prompts Safety Measures in UK's South West

People and businesses in Devon and Cornwall are taking additional safety measures as Storm Austen, the UK's first named storm of the season, is forecast to bring severe weather.

The Met Office has predicted gusts of up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and heavy rain across parts of Cornwall and Devon starting Thursday night. The storm is also expected to affect areas including parts of Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire, and Somerset, prompting two weather warnings for Friday.

Businesses are reinforcing their structures in response to potential damage. The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth Beach in Cornwall is implementing extra security measures after experiencing significant damage during Storm Goretti in January, when wind lifted and broke glass panels. "We've survived a lot of storms but that particular storm we underestimated how bad it was going to be," said Jamie-Lee Job, a staff member at the bar. "It is a reminder to us all to best err on the side of caution."

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is advising coastal visitors to exercise "extreme caution." Appledore RNLI Coxswain Simon McCarthy stated that his crew is prepared for increased call-outs due to the amber warning, and they are securing lifeboats with extra lashings. "We really do want people to be sensible. The sea will always win," McCarthy added.

Devon County Council has announced it will have additional staff in its Network Operations Control Centre to monitor conditions and manage responses to weather-related incidents. Councillor Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, urged travelers to check forecasts and plan journeys accordingly. "With many trees still in leaf following the dry weather, there is a risk of fallen trees and branches on our roads," he said.

The Dartmouth Food Festival has rescheduled some events planned for Friday to Saturday morning due to the anticipated storm impacts.