The Belgian Met Office has issued a code yellow wind warning for today. It comes after thunderstorms wreaked havoc in West Flanders yesterday putting 8,000 people without power and collapsing the front of a block of flats.
Code yellow wind warning for today after storms wreak havoc out west last night (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
Published:
According to the yellow weather warning expect strong winds in West and East Flanders, and Antwerp Province between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. with gusts of 70 to 85 km/h.
Yesterday evening and last night a zone of thundery weather crossed the country. The province of West Flanders faced the full brunt of the adverse weather. In Zwevegem, the gable of a block of flats collapsed. The residents had to be evacuated. In Koekelare, a lightning strike briefly put 8,000 people without power.
The Met Office had issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms valid across Flanders (except Limburg). West Flanders in particular was hit by fierce thunderstorms. Fortunately, in Zwevegem, where violent gusts caused damage to an apartment building and the gable was blown away nobody was injured. The 12 residents did have to spend the night elsewhere.
These were anxious moments for resident Patricia Declercq and her daughter. "We were in the living room when it suddenly started raining and blowing a storm. Suddenly a crack appeared in the wall and the building’s gable collapsed. At first, I couldn't find my little daughter, but suddenly she called out to me and appeared from behind the sofa," Patricia told VRT.
The fire brigade secured the building. Gas and electricity were cut off. An expert must now check the stability of the building. Only then will all residents be able to return home. Other buildings in Zwevegem also suffered storm damage.
Koekelare shrouded in darkness
In Koekelare and parts of Ichtegem, 8,000 residents were briefly without power. Lightning struck a medium-voltage line. "Fortunately, action could quickly be taken, and the main power cut lasted only about seven minutes," said Bart Wouters of grid operator Fluvius. The company is reviewing whether repairs to the grid are needed.
Ieper fire brigade called out to the Cloth Hall
In Ieper, the fire brigade was called to deal with a fire in the belltower of the historic cloth hall. "We subjected all rooms, towers and roofs of the hall and the belfry to a thorough inspection using a ladder truck," explained lieutenant Filip Deramoudt.
It turned out to be a false alarm. The belfry is of historical value. It is recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site and has recently been restored.
Elsewhere in Ieper, the fire service was called out to deal with flooding and the result of lightning strikes.