Devon and Cornwall battening down the hatches ahead of Storm Austen
Residents and businesses in Devon and Cornwall are preparing for Storm Austen, the UK's first named storm of the season. The Met Office has issued weather warnings for high winds and potential property damage.
Why it matters
Extreme weather events pose significant risks to infrastructure and public safety, necessitating proactive emergency management.
Image caption, Staff at Perranporth's Watering Hole bar have secured parts of the building before Storm Austen
Extra safety measures have been set up by people and businesses as they prepare for the UK's first named storm of the season.
Storm Austen is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) and heavy rain across parts of Cornwall and Devon from Thursday night, according to the Met Office.
The conditions, which are also set to affect parts of Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset, have led to two weather warnings being issued , external for Friday.
Bosses at The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth Beach in Cornwall said they were taking extra precautions after the venue suffered damage during Storm Goretti in January.
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