A storm capable of ripping the roofs right off buildings, dubbed Friederike, has caused major chaos in at least three countries, including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. With the Dutch national weather service reporting wind gusts of up to 140 kph, more than 200 flights have been delayed in Amsterdam. Germany’s national railway had to suspend all long-distance train services for at least a day across the country. The Dutch rail service has reported a number of incidents, including a collision between a train and a trampoline, which made authorities halt all trains.
Falling trees killed two elderly men in the Netherlands, a woman in Belgium, a 59-year-old man in the German town of Emmerich, a firefighter in the town of Bad Salzungen and a driver, who lost control of his van due to high winds, in Lippstadt.
Dutch police spokesperson Jose Albers told national broadcaster NOS that authorities were also investigating the death of a 66-year-old man, who fell through a Plexiglas roof, to find out whether it was the storm to blame.
In western Germany, about 100,000 people were left without electricity, the Netherlands had to close Amsterdam’s zoo, and Belgium closed down the port of Ghent.
Social media users have been sharing pictures and shocking videos of the storm, blowing away everything in its path:
Wait for it 🙈 #Köln #Friederike pic.twitter.com/g7KH1AEdei
— Kevin (@lekvn_) 18 января 2018 г.
Windstorm #Friederike tossing around cargo containers around the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands today. Report via Bas Cammeraat. pic.twitter.com/ypZEtqCNIf
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) 18 января 2018 г.
READ MORE: Storm Eleanor Hits EU W Coast, 200,000 Households Left Without Power in FranceTake my home, take my belongings, but DON‘T TOUCH MY FIETSEN #Friederike!!#Netherlands #Gottalovethem 😂 pic.twitter.com/yUHFdlclMN
— Marc (@History1History) 18 января 2018 г.
The big storm #Friederike hits #Germany! Strong disruption to transport and violent wind bursts. There are also victims. #Weather pic.twitter.com/hEzlhqaWeu
— Marco (WCN News) (@meteorologo777) 18 января 2018 г.
Ferry/barge going for an unplanned ride in the severe winds of windstorm #Friederike in Almere, the Netherlands today, Jan 18. Report: Marija Mujic pic.twitter.com/3EnQk6fJVB
— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) 18 января 2018 г.
To all my german peeps: Stay safe out there 😖 #orkantief #friederike pic.twitter.com/KNnEL04Ez5
— J U L I E (@JuJuJuliax3) 18 января 2018 г.
I saw it standing today in the morning. #leipzig #markkleeberg #Friederike pic.twitter.com/NEzTkqkvvj
— Andrew Kolesnikov (@Slonakun) 18 января 2018 г.
Nearly two weeks ago another violent storm, Eleanor, hit the UK and France, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes without power and damaging transport connections.
