{"id":71828,"date":"2026-10-21T13:24:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T12:24:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=71828"},"modified":"2026-10-21T13:24:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T12:24:33","slug":"road-users-urged-take-care-as-storm-austen-approaches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/road-users-urged-take-care-as-storm-austen-approaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Road users urged to take care as Storm Austen approaches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Road users are being reminded to prepare for possible disruption as strong winds and rain are forecast for Devon this week.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storm Austen has been named by the Met Office and is expected to bring potentially disruptive weather from late Thursday (22 October) into Friday (23 October).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, strong winds are also forecast ahead of the storm, with gusts of 50\u201360mph possible tomorrow (Wednesday 21 October).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Met Office Yellow Weather Warning for wind currently covers Devon from midnight to midday on Friday. Gusts of 50\u201360mph are possible within the warning area, with more than 70mph possible in the most exposed coastal locations. There is still uncertainty over the storm\u2019s track and where the strongest winds will occur, and warnings may be updated as the forecast develops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will have extra staff on hand in our Network Operations Control Centre and on the network itself to monitor conditions and coordinate the response to incidents on the county\u2019s roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Devon Highways team are particularly concerned about the potential for fallen trees and branches. Many trees are still carrying much of their leaf cover, meaning they catch more of the wind, while recent dry conditions may have affected how securely some trees are anchored. Dead branches that have remained in place during the settled weather could also be brought down.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cWe\u2019re preparing for a spell of unsettled weather and would encourage everyone travelling around Devon to keep an eye on the forecast and plan ahead. With many trees still in leaf following the dry weather, there is a risk of fallen trees and branches on our roads. Strong winds are also forecast before Storm Austen arrives, so please take extra care throughout the week.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur highways teams will be responding to incidents, with additional staff supporting our control centre. Please drive according to the conditions and be alert to debris, particularly on quieter roads where hazards may not yet have been reported.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

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\r\n Councillor Dan Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

People are being reminded of the following advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n