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Preparations under way as Storm Austen approaches

Rhys ThomasJersey
News imageNikki de Gruchy A woman pictured standing in front of a granite wall. She is wearing a high vis jacket, burgundy beanie hat and glasses. She has a brown plait in her hair. Nikki de Gruchy
Nikki de Gruchy said the prospect of more storm damage was keeping her up at night.

Preparations are under way in Jersey ahead of predicted very strong winds brought by Storm Austen.

Jersey Met has forecast swinds reaching severe gale force nine, with gusts of up to 80mph (129km/h) set to hit the island from Thursday evening and overnight into Friday.

All Government of Jersey schools will close on Friday and islanders were advised to avoid outdoor activity where possible, said officials.

Nikki de Gruchy, a farmer whose property was badly damaged in previous storms, said she was facing an anxious wait.

La Croix Regeneration Centre was damaged in storms Ciarán and Goretti, with several trees brought down and a cattle shelter flipped over.

De Gruchy said she was preparing for Storm Austen by putting in new tree stakes and weighing down trampolines used by chickens for shelter.

"Trees are such a big part of what we're doing here... I'm not going to be getting much sleep," she said.

"[We're] making sure that the animals are in a place which is open and there aren't any big trees which could potentially fall on them.

"I always prefer them to be out in the open than in a building."

Jersey Met said it was briefing authorities and the situation was being "closely monitored".

"Islanders are being advised to avoid outdoor activity where possible," said officials.

They said the decision to close government schools on Friday was made "as early as possible to give families time to organise childcare arrangements".

News imageA man with short light brown hair and a trimmed beard sits at a desk in an office, facing the camera. He is wearing a dark navy polo shirt with a red embroidered logo on the chest. Three computer monitors are visible in the background, displaying a rain radar in shades of blue, green and yellow. A keyboard, computer mouse and other desk equipment sit on the work surface. Large windows behind the workstation allow daylight into the room.
Senior forecaster Matt Winter said the El Niño weather pattern could bring more frequent storms

Senior forecaster Matt Winter said there could be some damage to trees and travel disruption.

Scientists have said this year's El Niño, a climate phenomenon that can greatly change weather patterns, was the strongest on record.

Winter said: "It's a bit uncertain to say how severe they'll be and how much of an influence El Niño has on the severity of those storms, but we are likely to see more.

"The chances are that one or two of them could be on the higher, more impactful side."

News imageA young man with short brown hair stands in an industrial yard, wearing a dark green sweatshirt with a white circular logo on the left chest reading 'Jonathan Le Maistre Tree Surgery'. Behind, is a large red crane lift with its platform raised and extended across the frame. To the right, a black vehicle with green striping and company branding is parked beside a warehouse doorway, where stacks of wooden pallets are visible.
Tree surgeon Renouard Le Maistre advised people not to venture out in dangerous conditions

Renouard Le Maistre, who runs Jonathan Le Maistre Tree Surgery, advised people to contact professionals if they were worried about trees.

He said people could get seriously hurt without the proper tools or training.

"The most important thing is make sure you're not out in those conditions because it is really dangerous," he said.

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