The Met Office has issued an amber code weather warning for powerful gusts of wind across Flanders. From 3pm, gusts of up to 110 kilometres per hour are possible, with locally even higher speeds being recorded. Damage is not inconceivable. The emergency number 1722 for reports of damage when there is no threat to life is active.
Due to Storm Louis, an amber code weather warning applies across Flanders, its capital Brussels and the Walloon province of Hainault, from 3pm this afternoon until 2am Friday morning.
Worst conditions with gusts of between 80km/h and 110km/h are expected especially during the late afternoon and evening.
"The storm will bring powerful gusts of wind (5 to 7 Beaufort) inland, and storm-force winds to the coast (7-8 Beaufort)," the Met Office warning notes.
Parks and cemeteries have been closed in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. Roads through the Sonian Forest in Brussels are closed too.
Storm at sea
"The most intense gusts of wind will occur in the late afternoon and especially in the evening and will be between 80 and 110 kilometres per hour in many places. Very locally and very temporarily, even higher wind speeds, e.g. during heavy and possibly thundery showers, may occur."
There is also the chance of damage. On the Belgian North Sea, gale and severe storm-force winds are expected tonight (9-10 Beaufort).
In the south of the country, the forecast for today is of heavy rain. A code yellow rain warning applies to the Belgian provinces of Namur and Luxembourg all day.