Gust of high winds across the region
High winds have been reported at various locations across Flanders on Monday morning. A Code Yellow weather warning remained in force until 11am. This means that there was the possibility of gusts of wind of 80 or 90 km/h and locally even 100 km/h. Despite the high winds little damage has been reported. The 1722 number for non-emergency calls (uprooted trees etc.…) to the fire service has been activated.
Although the damage has remained minimal, uprooted trees have blocked roads at various locations, including Kortenberg (Flemish Brabant), Ronse (East Flanders) and Brasschaat (Antwerp Provincce). Part of the roof of a company in Veurne (West Flanders) was blown away and the area around the church at Gingelom was cordoned off after scaffolding came loose. In Maaseik (also Limburg) a scaffolding pole fell onto a car. No one was injured.
The weather also cause disruption to train service on Monday morning. A corrugated iron sheet was blown onto the railway track at Ternat (Flemish Brabant) causing the closure of the line between Brussels and Aalst (East Flanders) while it was removed. Some trains were diverted others delayed or cancelled.
As a result of the storm conditions in the Netherlands Thayls and Benelux train services between Brussels, Antwerp and Amsterdam are unable to use the Dutch section of the high speed rail line. Instead they are being diverted via Roosendaal.
The parks in Brussels will remain closed until 2pm on Monday.