Storm Austen and Storm Boelo: a driver's guide to warnings, bridge closures and fuel before the weekend

Why this guide is different

Most storm coverage tells you it will be windy. This guide focuses on the decisions drivers actually face over the next 72 hours: which crossings will shut and at what wind speed, where fuel is thin on the ground in the next warning area, what your insurance does and does not cover, and what to do if a tree comes down in front of you.

1. Warnings by region, right now

Two separate named storms are affecting opposite ends of the UK. Austen is clearing the south today. Boelo arrives in the north on Saturday.

Source: Met Office UK warnings, last checked 12:35 BST on Friday 23 October. The latest update to any of these warnings was at 10:02 BST. Warnings can change quickly, so check before you leave.

The Met Office's Chief Forecaster flagged one detail drivers should note: trees are still in full leaf, which makes them catch more wind, so fallen branches and trees blocking roads are more likely than in a winter storm of the same strength (Met Office).

What that looked like this morning: by 09:20, Cornwall Council was dealing with around 100 highway incidents, most of them fallen trees, with about nine road closures. An overturned lorry closed the A30 eastbound near Avers Roundabout, and power cuts affected 9,251 properties (Cornwall Council). In North Devon, the A39 Torridge Bridge at Bideford was closed because of wind, and gusts above 65mph were recorded (North Devon Gazette).

2. The wind speeds that close UK bridges

Every major crossing has its own rules, and few drivers know them. This table brings them together from the operators' own published procedures.

What this means for the weekend: with Boelo's amber zone forecasting 60 to 70mph gusts, the Forth Road Bridge is likely to restrict high-sided vehicles, and the Queensferry Crossing's 70mph shielding limit could be tested on exposed stretches. In the south, today's 45 to 55mph inland gusts sit right around the M48 Severn Bridge's 46mph closure trigger, so plan on using the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge.

3. Fuel before Boelo: where forecourts are thin on the ground

Original Motorbook data. The Met Office warns that Boelo is likely to cause power cuts and close roads in the amber area. In towns that barely matters for fuel. On the West Highland and island roads it can, because the next forecourt may be a long way off and a closed road can turn a short trip into a long detour.

At 10:43 BST today, Motorbook checked the government's Fuel Finder data (via Motorbook's own copy) for the 10 nearest listed forecourts around five places in Boelo's amber or yellow area, plus two places hit by Austen for comparison.

How to read this: distances are as returned by the Fuel Finder lookup from each postcode district, so they are not road distances. Prices are retailer-reported and can lag the pump. Some small rural forecourts list diesel only. *One Cumbrian listing appears to have its E10 and E5 prices swapped, so it is excluded from the Keswick range.

What stands out:

• Around Fort William, the 10 nearest forecourts stretch out to 45km. After the four in and near town, the next listed forecourt is 31.4km away.
• Prices in the remote amber area vary by up to 36p a litre. Among the 10 nearest to Fort William, petrol runs from 170.9p to 206.8p and diesel from 198.9p to 224.0p, with the dearest pumps at the remote end. Filling up in town before the storm saves both the detour and the premium.
• Coastal Antrim and North Devon are better served. All 10 nearest forecourts to Bushmills are within 12km, and all 10 nearest to Bideford are within 14km.

Practical rule: if you live or are travelling in the Boelo amber area, aim to have at least half a tank by Saturday afternoon. Many forecourt pumps and card machines rely on mains power, and power cuts are flagged as likely. For EV drivers the same logic applies to charge: top up before Saturday evening rather than relying on a rapid charger on the day.

You can see live forecourt prices, and how recently each one was updated, in Motorbook, a free iPhone app that maps the government Fuel Finder data.

4. Caught out on the road: what to actually do

Based on the Highway Code (rules 232 and 233), Met Office travel advice and operator guidance.

While driving in strong wind

1. Slow down and hold the wheel firmly with both hands, especially when overtaking.
2. Expect sudden side gusts at gaps between trees or buildings, on bridges and on open stretches. Leave room on both sides of the car.
3. Give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries, buses, vans and caravans more room. Hang well back when a motorcycle is passing a high-sided vehicle (Rule 233).
4. Keep at least a four-second gap in the wet. Stopping distances at least double on wet roads (Rule 227).
5. Prefer main roads, which are less likely to be blocked by fallen branches.

If a tree or power line blocks the road

1. Stop safely well back, put your hazard lights on and do not try to drive around or under it.
2. Never touch or go near fallen power lines. If one is on your car, stay inside and call 999.
3. Call 999 if anyone is hurt or the road is dangerous. Report fallen trees on council roads to the local council. On motorways and major A roads, report to National Highways on 0300 123 5000. Report power problems on 105 in England, Scotland and Wales (powercut105.com), or on 03457 643 643 in Northern Ireland (NIE Networks). All the key numbers are in the Useful numbers section below.
4. Turn around only where it is safe and legal, then follow the signed diversion.
5. If you need a breakdown provider, see Before you call your breakdown provider below.

If the road ahead is flooded

• Turn around. The Met Office says the number one cause of death in flooding is driving through floodwater. 30cm of moving water can float a car, and an egg cup of water drawn into the engine can cause severe damage (Met Office).

If you are stuck in a queue or stranded

• If the car has broken down, have your details ready before you call (see Before you call your breakdown provider).
• Stay in the vehicle unless it is unsafe. On a motorway, if you have to stop, get out on the side away from traffic and wait behind the barrier.
• Run the engine only in short bursts for heat, and keep the exhaust clear.
• Keep your phone charged for emergencies. Mobile coverage can drop during power cuts, as the Met Office warning notes.

Storm kit for the boot (checklist)

• Phone power bank and car charging cable
• Torch and spare batteries
• Warm coat, waterproof, gloves and boots
• Water and snacks
• First aid kit
• Hi-vis vest
• Printed or saved breakdown and insurer numbers
• Paper map of your route (in case signal and sat nav fail)

5. Your vehicle type matters more than you think

6. Insurance and breakdown cover: the realities

• Comprehensive motor insurance usually covers storm and flood damage, including a tree falling on your car (ABI). Third party only cover does not pay for damage to your own car. Check whether your third party, fire and theft policy covers storm damage. Many do not.
• Driving into visible floodwater when you could have turned back can lead an insurer to question or reduce a claim (Which?).
• If your car is damaged, take photos where it is safe to, contact your insurer as soon as possible, and keep receipts for any emergency costs (ABI).

7. MOT or service booked this weekend?

If a storm forces you to cancel a garage booking, the rules do not bend. If your MOT runs out, you cannot drive or park the car on the road. The only exceptions are driving to or from somewhere to be repaired, or to a pre-arranged MOT test. The fine is up to £1,000 (GOV.UK). You can take an MOT up to a month (minus a day) early and keep the same renewal date, so rebook quickly. If your MOT is due in the next few weeks, a reminder app such as Motorbook can help you avoid running out of time when bookings get pushed back.

Useful numbers

Checked against each organisation's own website on 23 October 2026. If you have breakdown cover, use the number on your membership card, policy documents or app first. Many policies are sold under another brand name, and many providers say their app or online form is the quickest way to report a breakdown.

999 or 101? Call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life, or after a collision where life is at risk or the road is blocked. Call 101 for non-emergencies (Police.uk). If you are stuck in a live motorway lane and cannot get out safely, stay in the vehicle with your seatbelt and hazard lights on, then call 999 or press your car's SOS (eCall) button and ask for the police (National Highways).

Breakdown providers (24 hours)

Roads and live travel

Bridges

Power cuts and flooding

Local road contacts in the Storm Boelo amber zone

For fallen trees or flooding on local (non-trunk) roads. Call 999 first if anyone is in danger.

Other Scottish councils' road numbers are listed on Traffic Scotland.

Where to check live before you set off

• Weather warnings: Met Office
• England motorways and major A roads: National Highways
• Scotland: Traffic Scotland
• Wales: Traffic Wales
• Northern Ireland: TrafficwatchNI
• Power cuts: 105 (GB) or powercut105.com
• Bridges: Severn, Orwell, Tamar, Forth, Humber

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Motorbook is independent and is not affiliated with the Met Office, National Highways, GOV.UK, DVLA or DVSA, or any breakdown provider listed. Contains Fuel Finder data from GOV.UK, available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. This article is for general information. Always follow official warnings and the advice of the emergency services.