A fierce thunderstorm on Saturday evening caused chaos in Maasmechelen in Limburg province, place well known for its shopping village, with fallen trees and damaged vehicles reported.
Around 21:30, an oak tree fell onto a parked car on Koninginnelaan, blocking both lanes, and partly damaged another oak on Natiënlaan.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the car’s bodywork on Koninginnelaan was damaged. Police from Lanaken-Maasmechelen closed the road for clean-up. A party tent also blew onto a bus shelter on the same street.
The fire brigade used a ladder truck on Natiënlaan to remove a dangerous broken branch. Thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds, flooding streets as drains couldn’t keep up.
Traffic on the E314, particularly from Genk, was disrupted as cars sought refuge on the hard shoulder due to hail and poor visibility.
