The KNMI weather bureau has increased its warning about storm Ciarán in coastal regions from yellow to amber, saying winds of up to 110 kph could hit early afternoon on Thursday.

Zeeland will be the first to feel the brunt of the storm, followed by Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland and the western part of the Wadden Sea, the KNMI said. Code yellow remains in force for the rest of the country, apart from Groningen, Overijssel and Drenthe.

The storm has already caused problems in France and Britain, mainly in Devon and Cornwall on the south coast, bringing down trees and leading to localised flooding.

According to Le Monde, gusts of wind travelling at 193 kph have been recorded in French seaside town Plougonvelin in Brittany. At least one person has been killed.

KLM has cancelled all early afternoon flights and some other flights from Rotterdam airport are also being scrapped. Schiphol airport has urged travelers to check with their airlines for further cancellations.

Dutch railway company NS has reduced services in Zeeland as a precaution and some ferry services to the islands of Vlieland and Terschelling have also been cancelled.

The ANWB motoring organisation said on Wednesday that people should work from home if possible because the evening rush hour in particularly may be seriously affected by the wind and heavy rain.

The wind will die down in the evening, the KNMI said.