Thousands of homes lose power as Storm Austen hits southwest England

Storm Austen delivers severe conditions to southwest England

On Friday morning the first named storm of the year made landfall on the coast of southwest England. Wind speeds reached 76 mph at St Marys Airport on the Isles of Scilly, according to the national weather service. The powerful gusts knocked down trees, damaged roofs and triggered widespread power outages.

Scale of the power outage

National Grid reported that just before 11 a.m. more than 16,000 households were without electricity across the region. The outage affected residential areas in Cornwall, Devon and parts of Somerset. Restoration crews were dispatched from several depots and began working through the afternoon to restore supply.

Areas most affected

Cornwall – coastal towns such as Penzance and Newquay reported the highest number of disconnected customers.
Devon – the city of Exeter and surrounding villages experienced multiple feeder failures.
Isles of Scilly – the remote islands faced both power loss and disrupted ferry services.

Impact on schools and public services

Dozens of schools in Cornwall were forced to close as safety concerns grew. The local education authority announced that pupils would be kept at home until power was restored and buildings were declared safe. Emergency shelters were opened in community centres for families without heat.

Response from emergency services

Police, fire and ambulance teams were placed on standby. The Environment Agency monitored river levels, warning of potential flooding in low‑lying areas. The UK government’s emergency alert system remained active, providing residents with real‑time updates.

Weather forecast and upcoming storms

Forecasters at the Met Office indicated that the storm will move eastward over the next 24 hours, bringing heavy rain to the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Another low‑pressure system is expected to follow later in the week, potentially affecting the same region.

Safety advice for residents

Stay indoors until officials declare it safe to travel.
Keep phones charged and use battery‑powered radios for updates.
Avoid downed power lines and report them to the electricity provider.
Check on neighbours, especially the elderly, who may need assistance.

Economic and community impact

Local businesses reported losses due to power cuts, with many relying on generators to keep essential services running. Tourism operators on the Isles of Scilly faced cancellations as ferry schedules were disrupted. Community volunteers organized food banks and temporary heating centres to support affected families.

Restoration timeline

National Grid estimated that 80 percent of the outage would be resolved within 12 hours, with the remaining customers receiving power by the end of the following day. Engineers continue to assess damage to overhead lines and underground cables.

Looking ahead

Authorities urge residents to prepare for future weather events by reviewing emergency kits and ensuring that homes are equipped with surge protectors. The recent storm highlights the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to high wind events, prompting discussions on improving resilience.