Lightning storms ignite multiple house fires, paralyze rail travel across Netherlands
Lightning strikes and severe thunderstorms across the Netherlands on Friday triggered multiple house fires and widespread transport disruption, including rail cancellations and blocked roads, before the KNMI ended code orange in all provinces shortly after 8 p.m.
In the meantime, at the asylum reception center in Ter Apel, Westerwolde, around 60 people were temporarily moved into a sports hall on-site, according to a spokesperson for the Red Cross. The facility has been significantly overcrowded lately, forcing the asylum seekers to constantly spend time on the grass outside. Despite the storm, the situation was not much different yesterday. It was reported that earlier in the day, ponchos were distributed as dozens of people sought shelter under tents on a grass field outside the facility before being moved to the sports hall. Those tents were later dismantled because they could not withstand strong winds. Once the storm passed, asylum seekers were returned to the grass field.
Fire crews responded to several blaze incidents linked to lightning. In Zoetermeer, multiple house fires broke out after strikes hit residential buildings. Firefighting efforts were hampered because crews could not use an aerial platform during the ongoing thunderstorm, according to authorities.
In Hoogezand, Groningen, a house fire also broke out. Residents and a cat were able to escape safely, RTV Noord reported. In Bleskensgraaf, east of Rotterdam, a farmhouse with a thatched roof caught fire after a lightning strike. Rijnmond reported that the fire brigade opted for a controlled burn of the building.
Severe weather also caused major disruptions on the roads. On the A13 near Delft toward Rotterdam, falling trees blocked the roadway, leading to traffic delays of more than one hour. Elsewhere, congestion on Friday evening was longer than usual.
In Friesland, multiple traffic accidents were reported during heavy rainfall. In parts of the province, about 20 millimeters of rain fell within an hour, according to Omrop Fryslân. In Apeldoorn, Gelderland, lightning struck an apartment building, causing power disruptions as fuses in meter boxes blew, according to Omroep Gelderland. Separate reports also noted additional residential fires in the area.
Rail infrastructure was heavily affected by lightning and storm damage. A lightning strike hit the track between Lochem and Goor. Fallen trees and branches disrupted service between Zwolle and Wierden, Hoogeveen and Beilen, and Ede-Wageningen and Arnhem Centraal. Service between Zwolle and Groningen remained suspended due to lightning damage, with Dutch Railways (NS) expecting delays until at least 10:15 p.m. Trains between Zutphen and Hengelo were also halted until at least 11:15 p.m.
The KNMI had issued code orange for Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, and Gelderland starting at 5:30 p.m., warning of large hail, strong wind gusts, and severe thunderstorms. The warning was lifted across all provinces shortly after 8 p.m., as the storm system moved through the country from late afternoon onward. Other provinces remained under code yellow.
Additional storm damage was reported elsewhere. In Westerbroek, Groningen, a company building suffered a roof collapse due to heavy rainfall. In Hoogeveen, Drenthe, strong wind gusts blew away a party tent. In Eelde, also in Drenthe, heavy rain led to flooded roads.
