Storm Austen caused power outages and travel disruption across the South West of England.

What it means

Storm Austen, a named storm, has hit the South West of England, leaving over 18,000 homes without power, primarily in Cornwall, and causing travel disruption. The storm is ongoing with a yellow rain warning in effect, and power restoration efforts are underway.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is reported by ITV News West Country, a reputable regional news outlet, and is corroborated by multiple major news sources including BBC News and The Guardian. The specific figure of thousands without power is attributed to reports from the National Grid and local authorities, making the core factual claim solid, though the exact number may update as the situation develops.

How new

Genuinely new; the storm hit on 23 October 2026 and reporting is from the same day, with ongoing coverage of the aftermath.

Go deeper

• ITV News — first to publish