UK govt launches 'Be Ready' campaign as country braces for 2nd storm in two days

On Friday, a powerful Atlantic storm system packing winds of up to 179 kmph swept across Western Europe leaving nearly 3,00,000 homes without power in France and thousands more in the UK.Waves crash over the lighthouse at Newhaven Harbour during Storm Austen in Newhaven, Britain on October 23, 2026. (Reuters photo)New Delhi,Oct 24, 2026 10:53 ISTParts of the United Kingdom on Saturday were bracing for a second storm in two days. Earlier, a powerful Atlantic storm system packing winds of up to 179 kmph swept across Western Europe on Friday, October 23, leaving nearly 3,00,000 homes without power in France and thousands more in the UK.The storm, named Austen, also disrupted flights, halted rail services and battered coastlines with heavy rain and towering waves. Now, Storm Boelo is forecast to impact Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the ongoing weekend, according to Britain's Met Office.Heavy rain is expected to move from the west through Saturday as wind strength builds, with gusts up to 128 kmph, in exposed areas, the weather forecasters said.An amber weather alert has been issued across much of Scotland as well as the far north of Northern Ireland and England. The warning, which does not cover the Northern Isles archipelago off Scotland, is slated to remain in force from 9 pm BST on Saturday to 9 pm BST on Sunday, October 25.STORM AUSTEN'S IMPACT ON UKIn the UK, Storm Austen brought damaging winds to Southwest England, with Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly among the areas facing the most severe conditions. National Grid reported that electricity disruption impacted more than 16,000 homes in Southwest England. Over 6,000 of the affected households were customers registered for priority services because they might require additional assistance during power cuts.BRITAIN'S 'BE READY' CAMPAIGNOn Thursday, October 22, a day before Storm Austen wreaked havoc across Western Europe, the British government issued a set of precautionary measures under its new 'Be Ready' campaign.As part of the campaign, the government urged people to stock up on three days’ worth of essential supplies to prepare for a range of emergencies, from severe weather to cyberattacks.The advice is intended to help ensure emergency assistance can first reach those who are most in need, the government said.A two-page document listing the guidelines recommended that people stock enough bottled water and non-perishable food to last three days.The recommended essentials also include a torch with spare batteries, a wind-up FM radio, a first-aid kit and a copy of their passport.In the UK, Storm Austen brought damaging winds to Southwest England, with Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly among the areas facing the most severe conditions.National Grid reported that electricity disruption impacted more than 16,000 homes in Southwest England. Over 6,000 of the affected households were customers registered for priority services because they might require additional assistance during power cuts.- Ends(With inputs from Pranay Upadhayay, agencies)