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Eight injured, gas leaks and major havoc after ‘storm’ in Leersum Inland

Although the heavy weather in many places in the Netherlands was not too bad on Friday, it was quite hit in some places. For example, a crane fell over in Tiel and four electricity pylons were brought down in Oosterwolde.

But the situation has probably been nowhere as severe as in the Leersum region. According to many eyewitnesses, there was a whirlwind, a ‘tornado’, it sounds in Leersum itself. Rijkswaterstaat also speaks of a whirlwind. The KNMI says that an on-site investigation should provide a definitive answer, but confirms that severe thunderstorms have taken place, a so-called supercell.

Images shared by twitterers show the force of the wind. Garden chairs and attributes fly through the room.

Text continues below tweet.

Due to the many phone calls, the emergency number is overloaded. That is why people there are advised to only call 112 for life-threatening situations, according to an NL Alert that was sent on Friday.

Emergency services don't know where to start first.

Emergency services don’t know where to start first.

The call applies in the area that was hit hard by the storm, an area between Veenendaal, Amerongen, Woudenberg and Driebergen-Rijsenburg.

Several cars were destroyed.

Several cars were destroyed.

For some residents, this Friday has actually become pitch black. Dozens of trees are believed to have fallen, causing considerable damage, including to houses.

In Leersum, a suspected storm caused a lot of damage.

In Leersum, a suspected storm caused a lot of damage.

The enormous gust of wind that went over the village and surroundings caused seven gas leaks. The security region had first estimated that there were about 13 gas leaks, but this number turned out to be lower, “probably due to a number of double reports.” Six of the leaks have been closed, the last one is still being worked on. Because it is dark, that will also be the last job of the evening for the emergency services.

First aiders in action.

First aiders in action.

Everyone will be able to go home tonight, the spokesperson expects. The Red Cross was ready with a reception location, but it will not be needed for the night. “After that we have to see how we can get things safe again, because branches of trees are loose and they are shaky. Now we can hardly see what needs to be done.”

Emergency services are busy in Leersum.

Emergency services are busy in Leersum.

Images show how numerous ambulances were ready to intervene. According to a spokesperson for the Utrecht security region, about a hundred aid workers have gone to Leersum for help.

Residents assess the damage.

Residents assess the damage.

Local residents in Leersum say that the storm was short-lived with “ten to twenty seconds”, after which they heard a loud bang. If you looked outside in time, you just saw a tree fall, then there was a lot of rubble. Local residents have already started cleaning up on Friday.

An old oak cast the lottery ticket.

An old oak cast the lottery ticket.

The spokesperson for the security region emphasizes that, just like Friday evening, no one should come to the area tomorrow either. “Day-trippers should not come to the forest in Leersum and Amerongen, because there are many loose branches on the trees. It’s really too dangerous in the woods.”

As soon as peace has returned, residents will take to the streets.

As soon as peace has returned, residents will take to the streets.

The municipality of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, of which Leersum is a part, reported “dozens of reports regarding storm damage.”

The damage to the municipality will also not be easy, because, for example, bicycle paths were also disrupted by the natural disaster.

The damage to the municipality will also not be easy, because, for example, bicycle paths were also disrupted by the natural disaster.

Rijkswaterstaat spoke of a whirlwind on Twitter and reported that the nearby N225 and N226 are strewn with trees.

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