Storm Austen is forecast to bring gusts up to 80 mph (130 km/h) and heavy rain across parts of Cornwall and Devon from Thursday night into Friday, prompting the Met Office to issue a yellow wind warning for Friday 00:00 to 14:00 BST and an amber warning for Cornwall from 03:00 to 10:00 listing power cuts and building damage as possible outcomes. Met Éireann has upgraded warnings for the Republic of Ireland, citing torrential rain and the potential for flooding and travel disruption. The warnings cover south Wales, England's south coast, Wiltshire and Somerset in addition to Cornwall and Devon. Local businesses and councils are taking precautions: The Watering Hole bar in Perranporth has secured glass panels after damage in a January storm, Cornwall Council told people to avoid exposed coastal areas, and Camborne Rugby Club will close its grounds from 15:00 on Thursday with the clubhouse shut from about 22:00. Newquay Business Improvement District cancelled Saturday's Zombie Crawl because of the forecast. The Met Office advises people to check and secure loose items such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences and to make plans in case of power cuts or travel disruption as the storm passes on Friday.
