Storm Henk brought down trees and disrupted public transport in places but little major damage was caused by the first gales of 2024.

Weather bureau KNMI issued a code amber weather warning in the north and coastal areas from 8 pm, where winds of up to gale force 9 were recorded for a period lasting over an hour.

In Amsterdam, the fire brigade advised people to stay indoors because of the risk of being hit by flying debris. Solar panels were ripped from roofs in Amstelveen, IJmuiden and Maassluis and the A9 was closed for a time because of fallen trees.

The A1 slip road at Barneveld was also closed because several trees had been blown over and there were problems on the A32 between Heerenveen and Meppel.
There were few issues at Schiphol airport, however, and flights continued to take off and land despite the wind.

Water boards had been on alert because of the high water levels but there were no major problems. The Markermeer is currently 75 centimetres above its normal level and that, combined with the strong winds, led to some localised flooding in Bovenkarspel, Hoorn and Volendam.

The windy conditions are set to continue throughout Wednesday and Thursday, the KNMI said, but there may also be some sunshine. On Saturday, the weather will turn and it will become much colder, with night frosts and sunny spells.