South braces for first named storm of the season

Communities across the South are bracing for the impact of Storm Austen.

The first named storm of the UK's storm season is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain from Thursday night, according to the Met Office.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind for Dorset, the Isle of Wight and parts of Hampshire which comes into effect at midnight, while northern Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire will be under a warning from 10:00 BST on Friday.

Emergency services have urged people across the region to take care and avoid unnecessary risks, while ferry sailings have been cancelled and some schools and businesses have announced plans to close.

SSEN, which runs the electricity network across most of the region, has said it is entering "weather warning status" in central southern England as a result of the forecast.

People have been advised to prepare for potential power cuts as a result of the storm.

Anyone who sees any damaged electrical equipment is urged to stay back and contact the provider on 105.

Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight are in the Met Office's southern yellow wind warning, which is between midnight and 17:00 on Friday.

Parts of Hampshire not on the coast are included in an inland yellow warning from 10:00 to 21:00 on Friday, which mentions inland gales with gusts of up to 55mph during the day.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice to residents ahead of the incoming storm.

People are advised to bring loose outdoor items inside, warning that everyday objects can become "dangerous projectiles" in strong winds.

They have also encouraged the public to avoid parking under trees, keep mobile phones charged, and carry a torch in case of power cuts.

Wightlink has cancelled a number of sailings across all three of its routes on Friday, with the most severe weather expected around the middle of the day.

The operator has added an extra sailing on the Lymington to Yarmouth route on Thursday evening, departing Lymington at 22:00 and Yarmouth at 23:00, to help people travel ahead of the storm.

Customers with affected bookings are being contacted directly, the company said.

Isle of Wight Council is asking residents to avoid putting their bins out the night before collection.

The authority urged people to put their bins out in the morning and collect them promptly to avoid them blowing over and obstructing roads and paths.

Glenwood School, in Emsworth, has announced a closure on Friday, warning that the high winds pose "significant safety risks to pupils and staff".

An outdoor cinema event planning to show two horror films at Robin Hill, on the Isle of Wight, has been cancelled. The Exorcist and The Shining were set to be screened on Friday and Saturday as part of the annual Dark Woods Outdoor Cinema.

Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are also in the Met Office's southern yellow wind warning.

Gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely, with 70mph or more possible on some coasts and exposed spots.

The Met Office has warned that large waves and beach material thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and properties could cause injuries and pose a danger to life.

The RNLI, based in Poole, has encouraged people to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary risks as Storm Austen heads to Dorset.

"If you plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, we urge you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea," said water safety manager Ross Macleod.

Anyone who finds themselves in trouble in the water is advised to lie back, extend their limbs and "float to live". Those seeing others in danger are asked to "phone, float, throw": contact the coastguard, tell the struggling person to float and throw them something buoyant.

Dorset Council has warned that Portland Beach Road and the causeway may have to close temporarily overnight and into Friday morning, with a risk of flooding and waves overtopping.

The highest risk is expected between about 03:00 and 08:00, with possible disruption continuing into the morning rush hour.

People travelling to or from Portland on Friday morning have been advised to check conditions before setting off, allow extra time and make only essential journeys where possible.

Weymouth Angling Centre has told anglers that Chesil Beach, which stretches from West Bay to the Isle of Portland, is "unsafe and unfishable".

"No fish is worth the risk," it said.

Minterne House and Gardens has announced that it will close its gardens on Friday and Saturday for safety reasons.

Reading, West Berkshire, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead and Slough have been added to a Met Office yellow wind warning, which runs from 10:00 to 21:00 on Friday.

The warning, issued on Thursday morning, says inland gales are possible, with gusts of between 45 and 55mph during the day.

The Met Office said heavy rain, combined with many trees still being in full leaf, meant some power cuts and travel disruption were possible.

People have been advised to check road conditions and bus and train timetables before setting out.

A Diwali event due to take place in Reading town centre has been moved from Saturday to 7 November as a result of the forecast. Diwali Light It Up! had planned to bring illuminated puppets, lanterns, live music and dance to Broad Street.

Oxfordshire is also covered by the inland yellow warning from 10:00 to 21:00 on Friday.

Gusts of up to 55mph are possible, and the Met Office has warned there could be short-term loss of power, with some bus and train journeys likely to take longer.

Forecasters said further spells of wind and rain were likely through the weekend and into next week, although the heaviest rain is expected further west.

Councils, including Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, have warned residents to take care and follow updates on the weather.