All States schools will be closed on Friday as Storm Austen is expected to bring its strongest winds to the Bailiwick during the morning commute.
The Jersey Met Office has issued a red wind warning ahead of the storm, which is forecast to pass over the Channel Islands between 06:00 and 11:00, with winds potentially reaching Force 10 and even stronger gusts.
Islanders are being urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity overnight and tomorrow morning, with the risk of flying debris and falling trees heightened by the storm’s wind direction and the very dry summer.
The States has also warned that keeping roads clear will be important in case emergency services need to respond to incidents.
What will the storm bring?
Storm Austen is expected to reach the Channel Islands late on Thursday, with winds strengthening overnight before peaking during Friday morning.
The worst of the weather is expected to have passed by around midday on Friday, although strong winds are forecast to continue into the weekend.
The States said Austen was not expected to be on the same scale as Storm Goretti or Storm Ciaran, which have hit the Bailiwick in recent years.
However, it warned that the conditions would still be severe, particularly for people travelling during the morning peak.
Are schools and appointments cancelled?
All States schools will be closed on Friday 23 October.
Health and Social Care appointments are expected to go ahead as planned. Anyone whose appointment is cancelled will be contacted directly by staff.
Bin collections scheduled for Thursday night have also been cancelled, with anyone affected asked to put their rubbish and recycling out late on Friday, once the winds have dropped.
States of Guernsey customer counters will also be closed on Friday morning while the worst of Storm Austen passes over the islands.
The closures affect Sir Charles Frossard House, Brickfield House, Edward T Wheadon House and the New Jetty. The counters are due to reopen at noon on Friday, where they would normally be open.
Guernsey Water will assess conditions at 07:30 on Friday before deciding when cesspit collections can safely resume. No emergency collections will be carried out tonight, although urgent calls will still be taken on 229500. Islanders are urged to check the MyCesspitPortal for updates before calling.
The Millennium Walk is also closed until further notice, while Guernsey Water’s Brickfield House customer counter will remain shut until midday on Friday.
Beau Sejour will also close for the first few hours of Friday, with plans to reopen at 11:00.
The AI Innovation Expo will still go ahead, but will start at the later time of 11:00. Other private organisations affected by the temporary closure are being contacted directly.
Waitrose stores in the Channel Islands will delay opening until 13:00 on Friday due to Storm Austen.
Spokesperson Pedro Gameiro said the decision wasn’t “taken lightly” but it was “the right thing to do” to keep staff and customers safe.
The stores are expected to reopen at 08:00 on Saturday, subject to weather conditions.
Guernsey Water has cancelled all cesspit collections on Thursday, and will assess conditions at 07:30 on Friday before deciding when they can safely resume.
No emergency collections will be carried out tonight, although urgent calls will still be taken on 229500. Islanders are asked to check the MyCesspitPortal for updates before calling.
Natwest International advised customers its St Peter Port branch would be closed on Friday, and planned to reopen on Monday morning.
The States has advised that further updates on potential disruption to services, including buses, will be provided as the situation becomes clearer.
What should islanders do?
Islanders are being urged to take sensible precautions before the strongest winds and heavy rainfall arrive, including securing loose items and preparing their properties for the conditions.
Emergency services are not advising islanders that they must stay at home, but the States says it will be safer to remain indoors while the strongest winds pass over the Bailiwick.
The peak is currently expected between 6:00 and 11:00 on Friday, and islanders are being urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during that period.
These include:
- Avoiding unnecessary outdoor activity overnight and on Friday morning.
- Securing outdoor furniture and other loose items around homes.
- Closing windows and checking that property is protected.
- Checking boat moorings before the storm arrives.
- Driving cautiously and allowing for the conditions if travel is unavoidable.
Emergency services have asked that roads be kept as clear as possible to allow them to respond to incidents.
Will flights and ferries be affected?
Travel disruption is expected at both the airport and the harbours.
Brittany Ferries has cancelled several sailings and rearranged others.
Meanwhile, Guernsey Ports announced that no further flights will arrive or depart from either Guernsey or Alderney until at least 14:00 on Friday.
Islanders due to travel should check directly with their airline, ferry operator or other travel provider for the latest information before setting off.
Where can I find the latest updates?
The States said it would continue monitoring the weather forecasts and provide further updates as the situation develops.
The latest Guernsey forecast is available through Jersey Met.
Further information about the storm and its potential impact on the Bailiwick is available at gov.gg/StormAusten.
