Boys rescued from boat in Urk during code yellow winds; Millions in storm damage

Strong winds battered large parts of the Netherlands on Monday, causing millions of euros in insured damage to homes, cars, and buildings, according to the Dutch Association of Insurers.

Most claims involved blown-off roof tiles, fallen trees damaging fences and garden sheds, and cars struck by debris. Water damage was reported in flooded basements, and authorities warned of additional cleanup and repair costs, such as clearing fallen trees and fixing broken speed cameras.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) measured gusts up to 90 kilometers per hour and issued a code yellow for Zeeland, Flevoland, and Noord- and Zuid-Holland. Regional safety authorities reported numerous calls about blocked roads and property damage.

According to Omroep Flevoland, during the code yellow warning, four minors were rescued from a boat near Urk after running into trouble shortly after leaving the harbor. The boat’s motor failed, and high waves pushed it against the rocks. The boys, who were not wearing life jackets, were evacuated via the shore and brought safely to the KNRM boathouse, where they received a “serious warning” from rescue officials. All four remained unharmed.

On Monday evening, wind force 9 was recorded in IJmuiden for an hour, officially marking the first autumn storm of the year, according to Weeronline. Fire brigades responded to incidents including a fallen tree on tram lines in Rotterdam, shopping containers blown onto parked cars, and a stranded boat rescued from Paterswoldsemeer near Groningen.

By Tuesday morning, winds remained strong in parts of the country. KNMI maintained a yellow warning for Noord-Holland, the IJsselmeer region, the Wadden Sea islands, and Friesland. The storm coincided with Prinsjesdag in The Hague, where King Willem-Alexander delivered his annual speech and the caretaker Cabinet presented the national budget.