Amber Alert Raised as Storm Austen Brings 80‑mph Gusts to South‑West England

An amber warning for strong winds has been issued as Storm Austen moves across the UK on Friday. The Met Office says the amber tier, its second‑highest level, applies to Cornwall and parts of west Devon from 03:00 to 10:00 BST. Wind gusts could reach up to 80 mph (130 km/h) on exposed coastlines and 60‑70 mph elsewhere. Flying debris may cause injuries or threaten lives, and the storm could knock out power and damage buildings. A wider yellow warning covers much of southern England and south Wales, with possible travel disruption. ## Context The amber alert signals a high risk of severe weather but not the most extreme level. Such wind speeds can easily bring down trees, power lines and disrupt transport. Residents in the warned areas are advised to stay indoors and secure loose items.