The first New Year’s storm in 30 years is causing disruptions, particularly in the northwest of the Netherlands. The ferry service between Den Helder and Texel has been halted since 11:00 AM, according to NH Nieuws.
A spokesperson for ferry operator Teso stated, “The last trip was at 10:30 AM and went smoothly. However, after consulting with the captain, we decided to suspend services for safety due to strong winds.” As of 2:30 PM, wind speeds reached force 9 with gusts up to 10.
Approximately 400 cars were waiting on Texel and 200 in Den Helder. “We can accommodate 350 vehicles, so once we resume, the issues will be resolved quickly,” the spokesperson added.
Teso anticipates resuming operations by 3:00 PM. The ferry service between Harlingen and Terschelling is also affected, with some boats not operating and others delayed.
Elsewhere in the country, the impact of the strong winds appears limited. Earlier, in Soest, the top layer of a house’s roof was blown off.
Residents on Laanstraat heard a loud noise and saw part of the roof loose, reported RTV Utrecht. The fire brigade removed the loose section to prevent further damage.
In Leeuwarden, a woman drove into a fallen tree on a dike. The tree had snapped due to the wind, stated Omrop Fryslân.
The driver was unharmed. In Sneek, the fire brigade secured a Lidl supermarket’s signboard with straps to prevent it from blowing away.
In Tilburg, a tree fell onto several garages due to strong winds, and in Oisterwijk, several trees were toppled. Visitors to the Amsterdamse Bos are being warned about falling branches.
Source: NOS