A powerful Atlantic storm, Storm Austen, swept across Western Europe on Friday with winds reaching 179 kmph, leaving nearly 300,000 homes without electricity in France and thousands more in the UK. The storm disrupted flights, halted rail services and battered coastlines with heavy rain and towering waves.
French electricity operator Enedis reported nearly 300,000 affected customers, with Brittany, Normandy and Pays de la Loire among the worst-hit regions. In Southwest England, more than 16,000 homes lost power, according to National Grid, including over 6,000 households registered for priority services.
Transport services faced widespread disruption. Rail traffic was suspended across Normandy, while commuter services serving Paris experienced major interruptions. Strong winds forced flight diversions from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Orly, while Nantes Airport reported cancellations. Ferry crossings between France and England were also suspended.
In the UK, Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly faced severe conditions. The Met Office issued an amber wind warning, forecasting gusts of up to 130 kmph. Schools across Cornwall and Guernsey closed or opened late, while Exeter Airport cancelled flights and ferry services to the Isles of Scilly were suspended.
Powerful waves also damaged Brighton’s historic West Pier, with part of its remaining structure breaking away and falling into the sea. The pier opened in 1866 and closed to the public in 1975.
Authorities warned that another storm, Boelo, could bring further damaging winds, heavy rainfall and flooding from Saturday into Sunday. Amber warnings were issued for parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England, with gusts reaching 129 kmph in exposed coastal areas.
Ireland also issued weather warnings, including an orange-level wind warning for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged households and public authorities to prepare for emergencies, including power outages and flooding. The government has launched a campaign encouraging people to keep essential supplies at home.
Authorities across France, the UK and Ireland are preparing for further disruption over the weekend.
