Guernsey is beginning to return to normal after Storm Austen brought winds of more than 80 miles an hour, but some services and attractions remain closed and travel disruption is continuing.
Emergency services have responded to reports of fallen trees and structural damage, while local businesses have rallied round to help those affected by the storm.
There have been no serious incidents or injuries reported, and work is continuing to clear debris and make damaged areas safe.
Here is the latest information on what is open, what is closed and what islanders need to know before making plans.
Please note: This information is correct at the time of publication, but arrangements may change as the island continues to recover from Storm Austen. Check directly with the relevant service or travel operator before making plans.
What is open?
Guernsey Airport
Flights are expected to resume from around 17:00 on Friday following disruption caused by the storm.
Passengers should check directly with their airline before travelling, as schedules may still be affected.
Guernsey Dairy
Milk production has continued as normal, with no reported damage to the building and farm collections running on schedule.
Retail collections were slower to start because some shops opened later, but the dairy expects demand to increase as stores replenish their stocks.
Operations director Andrew Tabel said: “Suffice to say that it is business as usual.”
Supermarkets – but warnings of fresh food shortages
Most supermarkets and several banks reopened on Friday afternoon.
However, the Channel Islands Co-op is warning customers to expect possible shortages of fresh food in the coming days because of disruption to ferry services.
Chief executive Mark Cox told the BBC that the storm had caused a significant backlog of deliveries, with the disruption building up more quickly than the retailer was used to dealing with.
He said essential medication was being prioritised and asked customers to be patient when visiting stores.
All Co-op food and pharmacy stores in Guernsey, as well as Waitrose, delayed opening until 13:00 on Friday to help keep staff and customers safe during the storm.
Guernsey Post
Mail deliveries and collections are expected to resume on Saturday after Friday’s services were cancelled because of the weather and the cancellation of the mail boat.
Sunday deliveries are also planned to help manage the backlog.
Islanders should check directly with Guernsey Post for updates before visiting a branch.
Banks
Several banks decided to reopen on Friday afternoon, despite originally expecting to be closed all day.
NatWest International messages customers to let them know the St Peter Port branch would reopen from 13:30 on Friday.
Buses
Buses in Guernsey are back up and running, but routes and times may be affected by road closures.
What remains closed?
Beau Sejour
The leisure centre will remain closed for the rest of Friday while storm damage repairs continue.
The AI Tech Expo is the only activity taking place at the centre today. All clubs, classes and other activities have been cancelled.
Tonight’s performance of Come From Away by GADOC has been rescheduled to 19:30 on Saturday 24 October.
Ticketholders are being contacted, and tickets will automatically be transferred to the new performance.
A further update on Beau Sejour’s opening arrangements for Saturday is expected later on Friday.
The Millennium Walk
The walk will remain closed throughout the weekend.
Guernsey Water plans to inspect the area on Monday, when conditions are expected to be calmer, to assess any damage.
Islanders are also being urged to avoid nature trails and other areas where falling branches could pose a risk until they have been checked by land management teams.
Household Waste & Recycling centre
The Household Waste & Recycling Centre will remain closed until next week following storm damage to the roof of a building next to it.
The States said a contractor is due to assess the damage on Monday.
Cesspit collections
The service has been suspended for the rest of Friday because of the dangerous wind conditions.
Guernsey Water says the service is expected to operate on Saturday to catch up with missed collections.
Anyone who had a collection scheduled for Friday should check MyCesspit to find out when it has been rescheduled.
Emergency collections will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
What is happening with ferries?
All ferry sailings scheduled for Friday were cancelled because of the severe weather.
Brittany Ferries Voyager services have also been cancelled for Saturday and Sunday.
The conventional ferry Islander is expected to arrive in Guernsey at 07:00 on Saturday and depart at 09:00. Its return sailing from St Malo is scheduled for 22:00.
The boat is due to remain overnight in St Peter Port before departing for Portsmouth at 08:00 on Sunday.
Monday’s sailings are currently expected to operate as scheduled, although this remains subject to weather conditions.
Passengers should check directly with Brittany Ferries for the latest arrangements before travelling.
Events pushed back
Storm Austen has forced changes to several island events, with organisers rearranging plans for safer weather.
Rotary’s ‘Walk a Mile to End Polio Now’
Rotary Guernsey’s one-mile charity walk at Saumarez Park has been postponed by a week.
It will now start outside Saumarez Park Café at 10:30 on Saturday 31 October, with families and dogs on leads welcome. There is no entry fee, but donations to the campaign to eradicate polio are encouraged.
Guernsey Mind’s ‘Walkies!’
Guernsey Mind’s dog-walking fundraiser at L’Ancresse has also been pushed back by a week because of the forecast strong winds. It will now take place on Sunday 1 November.
Local firms rally round to help GSPCA
A fallen tree knocked out the GSPCA’s internet and telephone lines at around 06:30 on Friday, as staff dealt with storm-related animal emergencies, though thankfully no animals or staff were hurt.
However, several local firms stepped in to help.
Treevolution Professional Services cleared the fallen tree and offered to donate woodchip for the animals’ enclosures.
And Clarity CI director Matt Hale installed a temporary 4G router, with Brendan Bougourd donating a SIM card to restore communications. T
GSPCA manager Steve Byrne thanked the firms, along with Sure and other Islanders who offered help.
Repairs to the damaged lines are ongoing, while the charity continues to care for animals affected by the storm.
What is the latest on the storm?
The worst of the weather has now passed, but conditions are expected to remain wet and windy over the weekend.
Emergency services responded to a number of reports of fallen trees on Friday morning, most of which have already been cleared by fire crews or tree surgeons.
Crews also attended reports of structural damage at a private property during the early hours.
Harbour inspections have so far found no major damage to Guernsey’s harbour and marina infrastructure, although teams will continue checking the wider estate over the coming days.
The States has urged Islanders to lremain cautious outdoors, particularly around trees and nature trails that have not yet been inspected.
Further updates are available atl gov.gg/stormausten.
