Met Office names Storm Austen as Brits in 38 areas urged to gather batteries

Met Office names Storm Austen as Brits in 38 areas urged to gather batteries Brits face Storm Austen later this week, and Met Office weather forecasters have urged people to prepare for power cuts by gathering batteries The Met Office has named the first major storm of the season - Storm Austen. Storm Austen is expected to batter the UK from Thursday, and the Met Office has issued a weather warning for wind - urging Brits living in 38 areas to gather batteries and torches. The national weather agency says wind speeds could reach 70mph in parts of Wales and the south-west of England on Friday. The warning is in place from midnight until midday. It states that power cuts are on the cards for those living in the warning area. To prepare in advance, people are urged to “consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items”. The Met Office says the fierce winds could cause damage to buildings, with a risk of injuries and a “danger to life” from flying debris. Rail, air and ferry services could all be impacted too, while some roads and bridges may close. There will also be dangers along coastlines. “There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties,” the Met Office says. People are also urged to prepare for the winds by checking “loose items” around their homes, and securing them if necessary. These may include bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences, the Met Office says. UK areas covered by Met Office wind warning - Brighton and Hove - East Sussex - Hampshire - Isle of Wight - Portsmouth - Southampton - West Sussex - 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 - Blaenau Gwent - Bridgend - Caerphilly - Cardiff - Carmarthenshire - Ceredigion - Merthyr Tydfil - Monmouthshire - Neath Port Talbot - Newport - Pembrokeshire - Powys - Rhondda Cynon Taf - Swansea - Torfaen - Vale of Glamorgan - Herefordshire Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “While the exact track and position of Storm Austen is still being determined, what’s clear is that we have an impactful period of weather on the way and the potential for disruption in places, which has resulted in the system being named. “Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50-60mph are likely more widely within the warning area. Weather warnings are under constant review and could be updated as confidence increases, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the forecast in the coming days.”