Storm Austen: Haven Closes Perran Sands and Riviere Sands for Safety

Haven closed two of its Cornwall holiday parks this week as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, brought very strong winds to the South West. Guests at Perran Sands in Perranporth and Riviere Sands in Hayle were asked to leave ahead of an amber wind warning, with safety put first.

What happened

According to CornwallLive, Haven told guests at Perran Sands that the park would close at 2pm on Thursday 22 October due to severe weather, with venues closing earlier at 11am. CornwallLive also reported that Riviere Sands was expected to be evacuated at the same time.

In a follow-up message seen by CornwallLive, Haven explained that the park was being evacuated because of the amber weather warning, adding: "This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made with the safety of all guests, owners and team members as our priority."

The Met Office had issued an amber wind warning covering the whole of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of West Devon for Friday 23 October. When the storm arrived, the Met Office recorded gusts of 76mph at St Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.

How Haven looked after guests

• Refunds for lost days. In its message to guests, Haven said it would automatically refund any lost holiday days to the original payment method within 14 working days.
• Options for Friday arrivals. A Haven spokesperson said those due to arrive on Friday would be offered a break at another Haven park or a later arrival in Cornwall.
• Direct contact. Haven said it was communicating directly with everyone affected about their options.

The spokesperson added: "We're really sorry that people's breaks are being disrupted but safety of our guests and team comes first."

When will the parks reopen?

In its message to Perran Sands guests, Haven said it was aiming to reopen from 2pm on Saturday 24 October. At the time of writing, we have not seen confirmation that the parks have reopened, so if you are due to visit, please check with Haven directly for the latest position.

Checking your holiday home after a storm

If you own a static caravan or lodge in an area affected by high winds, it is sensible to have a look over it once it is safe to do so and the park is open. Some simple, general checks:

• Follow the park's guidance first. Only return when the park says it is open, and follow any instructions from the park team.
• Walk around the outside. Look at the roof edges, guttering, windows, skirting and any decking, steps or handrails.
• Check inside. Look for any signs of water getting in, such as damp patches on ceilings, around windows or near doors.
• Look at loose items. Check garden furniture, storage and anything else kept outside, and secure it before any further bad weather.
• Take photos. If you spot anything that looks wrong, take clear photos and make a note of the date.
• Get in touch. If you find any damage, contact the park and your insurer, and avoid attempting any repairs that are not safe to do yourself.

Well done to the Haven teams for putting safety first, and we hope everyone affected gets their break back on track soon.

You can find out more about Haven on our Haven parks page, or read our guide to selling a static caravan at Haven.

Thinking about selling?

If you are weighing up your options, Static Caravan Buyer offers a free, no-obligation valuation for your static caravan, and we can help with the park paperwork if you decide to go ahead. We charge no commission when we buy your caravan. We aim to contact you within 24 hours and make an offer within 48 hours of that contact. Payment is made on collection day before the caravan is loaded.

You can find out more about selling a static caravan in Cornwall, or call us free for a friendly chat on 0800 644 5000. There is no pressure either way.

Sources: CornwallLive, 22 October 2026, Hits Radio Cornwall, 22 October 2026, and the Met Office (amber warning, 21 October 2026 and recorded gusts, 23 October 2026).