Train services are getting back to normal throughout most of the country following Thursday afternoon’s severe gales, which battered northern parts of the country with winds of over 130 kph.

The KNMI weather bureau ended its weather warning on Thursday evening but said wintry showers with strong winds will continue into Friday.

High water levels are expected in the far north and in south west, the NRC said. Dykes are being monitored in some places and sluices have been closed as a precaution.

The emergency services received 2,700 calls about damage during the height of the storm, as it moved over the Netherlands between 16.00 and 20.00 hours. In total, over 3,700 damage reports were made by 23.00 hours.

Train driver

One train driver was slightly injured when his train was hit by an advertising hoarding which had blown onto the tracks in Gelderland province. He was hit by flying glass as the hoarding smashed through the window.

Airline KLM has cancelled 20 flights from Schiphol airport on Friday morning because of the expected bad weather, RTL news reported.

The passengers have been informed but KLM is recommending passengers keep an eye on the website for up-to-date information. On Thursday, the airline cancelled 42 flights because of the weather.