Storm Austen left thousands of homes without power and closed dozens of schools in Cornwall on Friday, with a 76 mph gust recorded on the Isles of Scilly and gusts up to 160 km/h in Brittany. Storm Boelo is forecast to bring winds up to 80 mph to Scotland and Northern Ireland on Saturday, with amber warnings in place.
Why it matters: Back-to-back storms are disrupting power and transport across the UK and northwest France.
Authorities declared severe drought in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex after prolonged low rainfall. More than 80% of England is in drought and major reservoirs are below 20% capacity.
Why it matters: Low reservoirs threaten water supplies, farming and ecosystems across much of England.
Severe drought was declared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex after prolonged low rainfall. More than 80% of England is in drought and major reservoirs are below 20% capacity.
Why it matters: Low reservoirs threaten water supplies, farming and ecosystems across England.