Devon and Cornwall battens down the hatches before 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 amber and yellow weather warnings for wind and rain, with potential for power cuts and structural damage.
Why it matters
Severe weather events pose significant risks to public safety and local infrastructure, necessitating proactive emergency management.
Image caption, Windsurfers at Westward Ho! enjoy the weather ahead of the storm
Extra safety measures have been set up by people and businesses as they prepare for the UK's first named storm of the season.
A red weather warning for wind has been issued in the Channel Islands ahead of Storm Austen, while there is an amber warning from early on Friday of gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) and heavy rain across parts of Cornwall and Devon.
The conditions are also set to affect parts of Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset.
A number of Cornwall schools are closed or opening late and The Watering Hole bar on Perranporth Beach is taking extra precautions after the venue suffered damage during Storm Goretti in January.
Image caption, Staff at Perranporth's Watering Hole bar have secured parts of the building before Storm Austen
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