The Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) has issued a yellow weather alert for rain. The alert came into effect early on Friday and will remain in force until noon on Saturday. Between 25 and 40 litres/m² of rain is expected to fall within 24 hours. The alert covers the whole country with the exception of the provinces of East and West Flanders. The 1722 hotline and 1722.be online service to report non-life-threatening damaged caused by inclement weather have been activated.
Royal Meteorological Institute warns of rainfall of up to 40 litres/m² in 24 hours in some areas
Published:
From 1pm on Friday until around 3pm on Saturday afternoon a front active bringing rain will move slowly across the country. This will result in rainfall totaling between 25 and 40 litres/m² and at some locations possibly even more in Flemish Brabant, Brussels Walloon Brabant and the rest of Wallonia, KMI warns. In Antwerp Province, Limburg Province and East and West Flanders rainfall amounting to between 10 and 20 litre/m² is forecast, although this could be slightly more at some locations.
The front bringing the rain reached the coast of West Flanders early on Friday morning. It has been heading southeast ever since and reached the Ardennes by Friday afternoon. Anticipating heavy rain and the issues that this often causes, the Federal Interior Ministry has activated the 1722 hotline to report non-life-threatening issues caused by the weather.
Those that, for example, wish to report a flooded cellar or outbuilding are kindly requested to call 1722 rather than 112. This will keep 112 free for genuine emergencies. Those that wish to can also use the 1722.be online platform to report non-life-threatening issues caused by the weather.