Storm Austen causes injuries and travel disruption in Belgium

On October 23, 2026, Storm Austen moved across the English Channel, severely affecting Belgium with heavy rainfall and high winds. The Belgian meteorological service issued an orange alert for the western part of the country and the coastline, where wind gusts were forecast to exceed 100 km/h.

In Brussels, four people were injured due to falling trees and debris. Around 14:30 local time, a large tree fell on the outdoor seating area of a restaurant in the historic city center, injuring three patrons; their conditions are not reported to be critical. Beyond these injuries, the storm caused significant chaos in transportation, resulting in the cancellation of dozens of flights and widespread delays for rail services.

The storm's impact extended beyond Belgian borders, affecting power grids across several European nations. Specifically, more than 300,000 households in France lost electricity, and approximately 12,000 households in the United Kingdom experienced similar power outages. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the storm progresses through the region.