Storm Ciarán is approaching and the KNMI has declared code yellow for Thursday. The ANWB also recommends working from home and not going on the road. Wind gusts of up to about 90 kilometers per hour may arise on Thursday and it will be very stormy, according to Weerplaza. So prepare well. These tips can help.
House and garden
It’s an open door, but before the storm starts, take a quick tour around the house. Insurer Interpolis knows what goes wrong most often and what you should pay attention to:
- Place the garden chairs and trampoline indoors or anchor them.
- Make sure the sun blinds or awning are rolled up.
- Check whether there are any overhanging or dead branches in the tree in the garden.
- Preferably park your car indoors in a garage, but in any case not under a tree.
- Check whether the roof edge and roof tiles are still firmly attached.
- The same applies to flagpole, dish and antenna.
- Close the windows and doors.
Traffic
It is best not to take the car on the road, but if you really have no other option, the ANWB knows the safest way to navigate your way through a storm:
- Lower your speed and keep much more distance, so you have more time to react.
- Keep both hands on the wheel, but don’t drive frantically.
- Be aware of possible gusts of wind or unexpected lee when you drive past a building or truck, for example.
- Do not drive with an (empty) trailer or caravan.
Trains
The NS has indicated that it will not make any major changes to the national timetable due to the storm. Because the focus is in the southwest of the Netherlands, there will only be changes there. Trains to and from Zeeland will be disconnected from services throughout the rest of the Netherlands. That is why trains commute between Roosendaal and Vlissingen and Roosendaal and the Randstad on Thursday. This has no consequences for the rest of the train traffic. The changes have been implemented in the travel planner app, a spokesperson said.
International travelers may also be affected by the storm. If that is the case, they can rebook or cancel their trip free of charge.
Don’t go into the woods
Besides the road, it is also better to avoid the forest. The danger of falling trees or falling branches is greater during a storm. It is also better to stay away from the forest in the days after the storm.
It is also wise to avoid the Biesbosch. The storm can cause a significant rise in the water there, causing roads and footpaths to be flooded.
If things go wrong
If something does happen, it is better to call the emergency services. But not every fallen tree means that you have to call 911 immediately. For some things you need the municipality, or you have to solve them yourself. The fire brigade knows who to call and when:
- Danger of collapse is an acute danger: call 112.
- Loose roof tiles or facade panels, no emergency, but call the fire brigade: 0900 0904.
- Tree is in danger of falling on the road, no emergency, call the fire brigade: 0900 0904.
- Tree has fallen on the verge along the public road: report it to the municipality.
- Tree has fallen in the garden: clean it up yourself (but wait until the storm has passed).
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