The Westhoek fire zone had already received 120 calls for damage from Storm Benjamin around 5 p.m. Most interventions have to do with trees and branches that ended up on the roadway. This happened in Veurne, Diksmuide, Kortemark and Ypres, among others. On the coast there were mainly problems with terrace demarcations, balustrades and detached solar panels. In Nieuwpoort, the sea wall between Hendrikaplein and Loodswezenplein is closed due to planks that are in danger of falling from a scaffolding. Finally, in Poperinge the roof covering of the refectory of a school had come loose. The fire brigade placed extra sandbags to secure the roof. There were no students present in the refectory in question.
Bee Fire zone 1 more than 250 calls were received. Trees fell on parked cars at the Visartpark and on the Sint-Lodewijkspad in Bruges. No one was injured. In Koksijde, Ostend, Blankenberge and Oostkamp there were quite a few problems due to fallen trees. And in Middelkerke, part of the roof of the Aldi department store has come loose. The store was immediately closed.
Bee Fluvia fire brigade zone around 37 calls had been received around 3 p.m. “The majority of interventions involve trees and branches on the roadway,” it said. “Here and there we also have to intervene for loose gutters that are in danger of falling down.” An electricity cable had been torn loose in two places. Last night there were also two calls for flooding due to heavy rainfall.
Bee Midwest Fire District finally a similar sound is heard. “We have received about thirty calls so far, mainly for fallen trees and branches blocking the road.” There was no major damage anywhere.