Brief
Storm Austen topples part of Brighton’s West Pier as 110mph gusts sweep UK
The storm left thousands without power, closed schools and suspended ferry services while a new low‑pressure system, Storm Boela, is forecast for the weekend.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Storm Austen battered the United Kingdom on Friday 23 October with wind gusts up to 110 mph, causing part of Brighton’s historic West Pier to collapse into the sea, according to the Independent.
What happened
BBC footage showed one side of the pier giving way as large waves crashed against it. A 111 mph gust was recorded in Padstow, Cornwall, while St Ives reported 97 mph. The National Grid said more than 9,000 households in Cornwall were without electricity. Schools in Guernsey were shut, ferries to the Isles of Scilly suspended, and Exeter Airport cancelled flights. Traffic delays were reported near Redruth and Truro, with fallen trees blocking roads.
What the reports add
The Independent noted that gusts of 76 mph were measured at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74 mph at Aberporth in south Wales and 71 mph at Culdrose in Cornwall. A yellow weather warning for rain was in force until midnight on Friday, covering much of Scotland and extending south into England and Northern Ireland.
What was said
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway told the Independent that “Saturday morning will start dry and bright in the east of the UK, however further west rain and increasingly windy conditions will already be set in as people wake up for the day.” He warned that “people should prepare by securing loose items outside their property, being ready in case of power outages and being aware of likely travel disruption.”
How it came about
Storm Austen was the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, following a Met Office wind warning issued on 20 October for southern England and Wales. The storm’s intense winds prompted amber warnings for South West England on 23 October, as reported in earlier Felo coverage. A second low‑pressure system, Storm Boela, is forecast to bring further gusts of up to 80 mph and heavy rain across the UK over the weekend.
Key facts
- Part of Brighton’s West Pier collapsed into the sea during Storm Austen. (independent.co.uk)
- Wind gusts of up to 111 mph were recorded in Padstow, Cornwall. (independent.co.uk)
- More than 9,000 households in Cornwall lost power. (independent.co.uk)
- Schools in Guernsey were closed and ferries to the Isles of Scilly suspended. (independent.co.uk)
- Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway warned of further disruption and advised preparations. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Storm Austen: Brighton’s West pier partially collapses as 110mph winds batter UK”
