Storm Austen: flights and ferries cancelled, schools shut, thousands of Cornish homes without power

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, reached south-west England on Friday 23 October 2026. According to Polish Express, winds reached up to 130 km/h. The worst effects were reported in Cornwall, Devon and the Channel Islands.

Power and roads

Cornwall Council said on the morning of 23 October that there were 21 power cut incidents affecting 9,251 properties in Cornwall. Earlier, Polish Express, citing National Grid, reported 6,000 homes without power. The difference may be down to when the figures were published.

According to the council, its highways teams received around 250 reports, more than 150 of them about fallen trees and most of the rest about flooding. Several main roads were closed, and most have since reopened. Later in the day the council reported almost 400 reports in total in response to the storm, with more than 300 dealt with.

Flights, ferries and trains

Loganair cancelled 18 flights on 23 October. On Friday, disruption affected routes including Jersey – Bristol, Manchester – Newquay and Edinburgh – Exeter. Passengers on flights from Bristol, Newquay, Exeter, Jersey and Southampton during the yellow warning period can change their travel date free of charge. Exeter Airport cancelled flights.

DFDS cancelled all fast ferry sailings around Jersey until the end of the weekend. The ferry between St Mawes and Falmouth was also suspended. National Rail warned of delays of up to 90 minutes because speed restrictions are in place on lines.

Schools

According to Polish Express, more than 80 schools in Cornwall closed or opened late, and all schools on Jersey and Guernsey were shut. Cornwall Council advises parents to check messages from their child's school before setting out. In other areas, it is worth checking the local council's website.

Weather warnings

The Met Office issued an amber warning for strong winds for parts of Devon and Cornwall. A yellow warning covers large areas of south-west England, the south coast, and southern and western Wales. A yellow rain warning is in place for parts of southern and eastern Scotland.

Another storm, Boelo, is forecast for the weekend, bringing strong winds to Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England. The Met Office points to gusts of 88–105 km/h on most coasts, and 110–130 km/h in more exposed places. It is a separate low-pressure system from Austen.

What this means for you

People travelling by plane, ferry or train in south-west England, Wales and the Channel Islands should check their service status with the operator before setting off. Parents of children in affected areas should follow school announcements. Power supply in Cornwall can be checked with the National Grid postcode checker.