WIDESPREAD power cuts were experienced by several thousands of people across West Somerset and Exmoor on Friday (October 23), with many facing the prospect of going more than 24 hours without electricity, as Storm Austen swept across the area.

Strong winds brought down trees which blocked a number of roads, shops and businesses closed, and many events planned both on Friday and Saturday being cancelled by organisers as a second storm, named Boelo was due to hit on Saturday.

A large tree came down in Dunster Steep car park on Friday afternoon and crushed a parked silver BWW car, while Andrews Hill, in Dulverton, was blocked by a downed tree, as was the A396 Wheddon Cross to Timberscombe road.

Porlock Road, near Minehead Cemetery, also saw a tree come down, and many other roads were affected by branches breaking from trees.

In Minehead, a high voltage electricity line fault which happened at about 11.20 am in the Bratton and Woodcombe area left nearly 1,200 properties cut off.

All but 149 customers were reconnected within minutes, but 115 were told they were likely to be without power for more than 24 hours as National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) estimated repairs would not be completed until 1 pm on Saturday.

Nearly another 1,800 were similarly hit in the Dulverton and Brushford area at about 11.15 am, and again the final 120 properties were given a 1 pm Saturday timescale for reconnection.

More than 200 properties in the Elworthy and Monksilver areas lost high voltage power supplies just after 10.30 am on Friday, with 98 reconnected by 5.15 pm.

However, NGED told the remaining 17 property owners it could be 10 pm on Saturday before supplies were restored.

More than 840 homes and businesses around Wheddon Cross were affected by another high voltage fault which occurred at about 11.40 am near Luckwell Bridge, with all but one unfortunate customer being reconnected by the evening, and the remaining property told they might have to wait until 1 pm on Saturday.

Another 85 properties in the Simonsbath to Exford area lost electricity shortly before 9 am, and while more than 50 were back online by just after 11.30 am, the remainder were given timescales which were repeatedly extended until 1 pm on Saturday.

One of the larger events to be cancelled was the free Cosy Fest which was to have been held on Watchet’s East Quay on Saturday afternoon into the evening.

It had been billed as an evening of ‘outdoor cosiness’ with stories, songs and craft, stalls, music, food, and ‘all things cosy under the stars’.

People had been encouraged to take along a ‘song or a story to share’.

But, a spokesperson said: “Due to forecasted rain and windy weather, we have made the difficult decision to postpone.

“The good news? We are already hard at work behind the scenes, and the event has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 28.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, thank you so much for your understanding, and please stay safe out there.”

East Quay itself was closed all day on Friday due to stormy weather and high winds, but hoped to reopen on Saturday morning.

It meant a fossil workshop and block printing workshop in the studio were cancelled and there were no evening meals served.⁠

⁠Tropiquaria Zoo, at Washford Cross, also closed all day on Friday due to ‘severe winds and potential for damage on site’.

A spokesperson said: “Everybody is hunkered down, tucked up in bed and safe, we will be back open Saturday with any luck.”

Minehead’s Queens Hall Post Office, situated on the sea front, closed early at 4 pm on Friday because of the bad weather, and a craft fair due to be held from 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday in Minehead Methodist Church was cancelled.

Exmoor Natural History Society cancelled a fungus foray due to have been led by Tim Lyddon on Saturday, and rescheduled it for October 31.