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At least 3 people have been killed in the Netherlands on January 18, 2018, as hurricane-force winds swept over the region. Officials reported winds up to 120 km/h (74 mph) and gusts to 140 km/h (87 mph) at the height of the storm. The storm also affected Britain, Germany, France and neighboring countries.
The storm grounded all flights at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, one of the busiest in Europe, and halted trains, trams and buses nationwide as weather officials issued a red alert for wind. At least 17 trucks were blown over by the strong winds.
The sad death toll stands at 3 as of 13:00 CET. All of them died in separate incidents by falling trees or debris.
The storm reached its height between 10:00 and 12:00 CET and the country is now slowly returning to normal.
Strong winds have also affected Germany, downing trees and causing structural damage in its western regions.
The national train operator suspended traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), neighboring Rhineland-Palatinate state and Lower Saxony. Trains still running elsewhere in Germany have cut their speed because of the strong winds, the BBC reported.
Dozens of flights were in the country were also canceled.
Deutscher Wetterdienst reported winds of 203 km/h (126 mph) on Brocken peak in northern Germany, and up to 134 km/h (83 mph) in Frankenberg.
Power was knocked down to some 49 000 homes in Britain, mostly in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Norfolk Police said it was dealing with an ‘unprecedented’ number of calls in relation to the bad weather.
Residents were advised not to travel unless there is a critical need. “Stay at home where you are safe,” the police said.
Featured image credit: Johan Boef