Storm Floriane has reached Belgium. A succession of violent showers with gusts with speeds of 80 to 100 km/h are battering the country. The Met Office has issued a code yellow weather warning. The emergency number 1722 has been activated to ease pressure on 112 that should only be used when there is a possible threat to life.
Storm Floriane batters Belgium: wind speeds up to 94 km/h recorded on Flemish coast
Colin Clapson
Published:
Updated:
Storm force winds of 9 Beaufort have been measured off the Flemish coast. The strongest gusts so far this afternoon were recorded in Wallonia, in Namur Province (101 km/h in Ernage) and Luxembourg Province (97 km/h in Humain).
In West Flanders, security services are asking people to avoid unnecessary trips. The breakwaters and jetties on the coast have been closed. Wind speeds of up to 94 kilometres per hour have already been recorded in the ports of Nieuwpoort and Zeebrugge.
Fire-fighters in the Westhoek District have been called to at least 20 incidents in response to the stormy weather. Between the villages of Elveringe and Zuidschote in Ieper blown-away branches on the roadway caused a dangerous situation and hindered traffic.
In the provinces of Flemish Brabant and Antwerp, provincial roads are closed. In East Flanders, cities including Aalst, Sint-Niklaas and Oudenaarde closed their parks all day.
Traffic disruption in Brussels
In Brussels the De Brouckèreplein and part of the Anspachlaan have been closed to traffic at the request of the police. On the De Brouckèreplein wooden panels from a building site have fallen down onto the public highway. More panels are also in danger of dropping off.
More havoc elsewhere
Provincial schools in Flemish Brabant are closed. Strong winds caused several parts of the scaffolding of the Sint-Martinus Church in Asse to fall down. The same church was heavily damaged in a storm two years ago. The area around the church is closed to pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles until 8pm.
In Antwerp province provincial schools are closed. In Deurne, a kindergarten was evacuated around noon as a precaution because a tree was in danger of falling over due to strong winds. 120 pre-schoolers were evacuated.
1722 helpline activated
The Belgian home ministry has activated the emergency number 1722 for calls to the emergency services when there is no threat to life.
Anyone needing assistance from the fire brigade can submit a request via the e-desk by going to 1722.be or by calling 1722.
The 1722 number is for situations that are not life-threatening. In potentially life-threatening situations, you should still call 112.