Overnight and into Friday, a severe storm swept through northern Europe, unleashing heavy rain and powerful winds. The turbulent weather resulted in incidents across the region, including fallen trees, flooding concerns along the North Sea coast, and tragic fatalities. In western Belgium, tragedy struck at a bustling market in Oudenaarde, where a colossal 20-meter (65-foot) Christmas tree collapsed, claiming the life of a 63-year-old woman and injuring two others. Consequently, the Christmas market was abruptly canceled. Meanwhile, in the eastern Dutch town of Wilp, another individual succumbed to injuries sustained from a falling tree.
As the storm wreaked havoc, pre-Christmas rail travel in parts of Germany experienced disruptions. Deutsche Bahn, the national railway operator, reported cancellations on routes from Hamburg and Hannover to Frankfurt and Munich. Long-distance services from Hamburg to Kiel and Flensburg faced interruptions due to fallen trees damaging overhead electric wires or blocking tracks, predominantly in northern Germany and the central state of Hesse.
In Hamburg, the Elbe River surged, flooding streets around the city’s fish market, with water reaching waist-high levels in certain areas. German authorities issued warnings of a potential storm surge of up to three meters (nearly 10 feet) or more above mean high tide along parts of the North Sea coast.
Dutch North Sea towns, including Scheveningen and the seaside suburb of The Hague, witnessed overnight flooding in streets around harbors. The Maeslantkering storm barrier, a crucial defense for Rotterdam against high sea levels, automatically closed for the first time ever due to elevated water levels. This marked a historic moment as all six major storm barriers in the low-lying Netherlands were simultaneously closed. By Friday morning, as winds subsided, all six barriers were reopened.
In the North Sea, the Norwegian cruise ship MS Maud faced a temporary loss of power on Thursday after encountering a rogue wave. The operator, Hurtigruten Expedition, assured that all 266 guests and 131 crew members were unharmed. The vessel, initially bound for the English port of Tilbury, was redirected to Bremerhaven, Germany, for disembarkation. Danish Search and Rescue confirmed the ship’s ability to maneuver using emergency systems, with two civilian support vessels nearby.
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The storm’s impact extended to the U.K., where high winds grounded flights, suspended train services, and halted Scottish ferries on Thursday. The widespread disruptions underscored the severity of the weather event sweeping across the region.