Storm Austen batters Britain with 80mph winds as more than 16,000 homes in the South West are left without power
The Met Office warns power cuts and structural damage to buildings are a significant risk as the storm targets Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly from…
A gust of 111mph was recorded in Cornwall as Storm Austen struck. An amber warning covered Cornwall and Devon from 3am to 10am, with a 'danger to life' alert on seafronts. Fallen trees closed roads, schools shut, and Jersey closed schools, colleges and libraries. Storm Boelo is due on Saturday, with amber warnings for Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.
Fallen trees blocked rail lines into London, and Gatwick services were hit by cancellations.
Waves overtopped Dorset's A354 Portland Beach Road, which was closed until shortly before 9am.
TV reporter Isobel Feculak's umbrella flipped live on air: 'This is my Mary Poppins moment.'
