Storm Austen is causing widespread power cuts and travel disruption – with wind gusts of 84mph (135km/h) recorded at Jersey Airport
More than 18,000 homes in parts of England and Wales are without power, as millions remain under a yellow weather warning for wind
In Brighton, a section of the iconic West Pier has collapsed. One local says he is "shocked by the amount of pier that's ended up in the sea"
Great Western Railway warns of disruption due to fallen trees on several train lines in Devon and Cornwall, while Network Rail Scotland says trains will be slowed down along parts of the West and East coast main lines
On Saturday, a separate storm, named Boelo, is forecast to bring more strong winds to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England
Yellow and amber wind warnings will be in place for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England for much of the weekend, with a yellow alert beginning in Northern Ireland from 10:00 on Saturday
A number of schools across Cornwall have said they will open later today to help children and parents arrive safely.
Many will open after 10:00 BST, when the Met Office's amber warning for wind is due to end.
Others have said they will temporarily shut ahead of the weekend.
You can check the full list of school closures in Cornwall via the council's website, here, external.
The Government of Jersey says all of the schools and colleges it runs will be shut during the storm
It adds other sites including sport centres, libraries, parks and La Collette Recycling Centre will also be closed.
"Emergency, urgent and maternity health services will continue to operate as normal," a government spokesperson says.
"The Union Street customer hub will also remain open."
Jersey Met issued a red warning across the Channel Islands as Storm Austen is expected to bring wind gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h).
It says disruption is expected with damage to moored boats likely in exposed locations.
The Government of Jersey says people should avoid outdoor activity on Friday morning.
An amber weather warning for wind became active at 01:00 BST covering all of Cornwall and parts of west Devon.
It is due to remain in place until 10:00 with the Met Office forecasting 80mph (130km/h) in exposed headlands.
A separate yellow warning for wind covering all of Devon and Cornwall along with other parts of south-west England, the south coast and Wales is in place until 17:00 on Friday.
Another yellow wind warning covering other parts of England and Wales is in place from 10:00 until 21:00.
Image source, Met Office