Met Office issues 'danger to life' warning as 43 areas face power cuts - full list
Met Office issues 'danger to life' warning as 43 areas face power cuts - full list Storm Austen is likely to bring distruption to the affected areas. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Lauran O'Toole 09:51, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Updated: 12:40, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 A rare amber warning has been issued (Image: Getty) The Met Office has issued a rare amber warning for wind and updated a previously issued yellow alert. Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/2027 autumn season, is forecast to batter UK areas with strong winds on Friday morning. The amber warning, which will be in place from 3am to 10am on Friday, covers Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly and Plymouth. A spell of very strong northwesterly winds could see gusts hit 80mph on exposed headlands, while gales of 60-70 mph will develop more widely. A Met Office spokesperson said: "A spell of very strong northwesterly winds is likely on Friday morning. There is a good chance that gusts of 60-70 mph will develop widely for a time with perhaps some gusts around 80 mph for exposed headlands. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT "Very strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. Remaining windy for the rest of Friday but winds will gradually ease." The weather agency says this warning has a high likelihood of 50-75% and will have a significant impact. The forecaster is warning there is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . To prepare, the agency advised Brits living in the areas under the warning to gather torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Those affected by the weather warning are being urged to take precautions to protect their property and reduce the risk of injury. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The rare amber warning is likely to force some roads and bridges to close, damage to buildings is also probable, such as tiles being blown from roofs. Injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties, the forecaster also warned. Flying debris is also likely and could also lead to injuries or danger to life. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The amber weather warning comes into place at 3am on Friday (Image: Met Office) The Met Office advises staying indoors as much as possible while the warning is in place, and those who go out during the high winds should try not to walk or take shelter close to buildings and trees. Those along the coast should be aware of large waves, the Met Office warned. People walking near cliffs should take care, ensure they know their route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, people should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. A seperate yellow weather wind warning remains in place across southern parts of England and Wales. The warning is in place from midnight on Friday until 2pm the same day. The Met Office is warning that some coastal or exposed areas over parts of southwest England could see wind speeds exceeding 70 mph, while gusts of 50-60 mph are expected more widely. Ahead of this, a spell of southerly winds with gusts of 50-60 mph will move east along the south coast of England during Thursday night. Winds are forecast to slowly ease during Friday afternoon. Storm Austen is forecast to bring damaging winds on Friday (Image: Getty) Regions and local authorities affected by the warnings: Areas affected by the amber wind weather warning: South West England Cornwall Devon Isles of Scilly Plymouth Areas affected by the yellow wind weather warning: London & South East England Brighton and Hove East Sussex Hampshire Isle of Wight Kent Portsmouth Southampton West Sussex South West England Bath and North East Somerset Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Bristol Cornwall Devon Dorset Gloucestershire Isles of Scilly North Somerset Plymouth Somerset South Gloucestershire Torbay Wiltshire Wales Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Caerphilly Cardiff Carmarthenshire Ceredigion Merthyr Tydfil Monmouthshire Neath Port Talbot Newport Pembrokeshire Powys Rhondda Cynon Taf Swansea Torfaen Vale of Glamorgan West Midlands Herefordshire Met Office weather warnings Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments