The first named storm of the season is heading our way. Storm Austen will sweep across the whole county on Friday, and while Yellow Warnings don't mean stay indoors, they do mean it's worth being prepared before you set off.
Gusts could reach gale force at times during the warning period. The main risks for drivers are fallen trees and debris on the road, which can appear quickly and without warning. If you're travelling on Friday, build in extra time and stay alert, particularly on rural and tree-lined routes around Gnosall.
Staffordshire County Council's highways crews will be out and ready to respond throughout the day. Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Peter Mason said:
"Our highways crews are on standby and ready to respond to fallen trees, branches and other debris that strong winds could bring onto our roads. We know how disruptive bad weather can be for people travelling to work, getting children to school or making other essential journeys, and our priority is to keep people safe and keep disruption to a minimum. Our crews are prepared to deal with hazards as they arise and clear affected roads as quickly as conditions allow. In severe weather, that work can be challenging, and the safety of our crews and everyone using the roads must come first. We appreciate people's patience and understanding while our teams work to make roads safe and keep Staffordshire moving."
How to report a problem
If you spot a fallen tree, debris or any other hazard on the road network on Friday, you can report it directly to the county council using the ReportIt system on staffordshire.gov.uk. Getting issues flagged quickly helps crews prioritise and respond faster.
Source: staffordshire.gov.uk
