Live blog storm Eunice: public transport flat, no meal delivery and football matches, schools and test streets closed

The delivery of groceries in the Utrecht region by Picnic will continue for the time being. A spokesperson informs RTV Utrecht on request. Delivery has been canceled for the coastal provinces, but for the rest of the Netherlands, it is checked minute by minute whether it is responsible.

“The safety of our employees and suppliers is paramount, so no one will go out if it is unsafe,” the spokesperson said. Whether or not the delivery goes ahead also depends on the availability of employees, so whether they can travel to work and come home later in the day.

The spokesperson says that customers will receive a personal message if they do not receive their groceries delivered.

The Netherlands will be dealing with very strong winds today: storm Eunice is sweeping over our country and that may have major consequences for public life. For example, no trains, buses and trams will run from 2 p.m., many test streets and vaccination locations are closed and the ANWB advises road users to be extra alert.

Syntus Utrecht is driving around with fewer local buses this afternoon because of the storm. These are lines to and from IJsselstein, Montfoort, Woerden, Weesp, Vreeland, Breukelen and Uithoorn. Also outside the Utrecht region, many buses do not run from 2 p.m.

Transporter U-OV does not allow trams to run between Nieuwegein, IJsselstein, Utrecht and P+R Science Park. “Take into account the scaling down of the timetable from approximately 1 p.m.”, according to the transport company.

Home delivery stops almost all of the country at 2 p.m. due to the storm. Delivery only continues in Maastricht and Heerlen because code yellow is in effect there. If the storm also advances there, the deliverers will also stop working in those cities.

Orders are still being taken until 1 p.m., a spokesperson said. “The deliverers can then go home on time.” In Rotterdam, stops may be made earlier, if Eunice arrives there earlier. “We have a team in each region that monitors the weather and makes sure the deliverers can do their job safely.”

The KNVB has canceled all matches in amateur football both on the field and in the hall for today. “The football association is investigating when the canceled matches can be played. This will be communicated to the clubs,” the KNVB said on their website.

Due to storm Eunice, all library branches will close at 12 noon today.

Rijkswaterstaat advises motorists not to take to the road this afternoon in the provinces where code red has been announced due to storm Eunice. In the coastal areas for which code red applies, very strong gusts of wind are expected with speeds of up to 130 kilometers per hour.

The weather alarm will be in effect from 2 p.m. for the provinces of Zeeland, South Holland, North Holland, Friesland, Flevoland, the IJsselmeer area and the Wadden area. “The advice is not to drive in these provinces,” Rijkswaterstaat said on Twitter. “Be aware of very strong wind gusts and unexpected situations on the road.”

Wondering what to do if things go wrong during the storm? The Utrecht Security Region has put a handy infographic online.

The Plukpad between the Kruisvaart and the railway in Utrecht will be closed earlier today due to the storm. “There is a tree in the fences because it is very vulnerable. Urgent advice to stay away from the path today,” the district manager reported to local residents.

The KNMI has issued code red for part of the Netherlands because of storm Eunice. The weather alert applies to the provinces of Zeeland, South Holland, North Holland, Friesland, Flevoland, the IJsselmeer area and the Wadden area. The areas to which code red applies will be faced with very strong gusts of wind from 100 to 120 kilometers per hour from this afternoon, on the coast up to 130 kilometers per hour. The code red applies from 2 p.m.

Code orange applies in the rest of the country, with the exception of the province of Limburg, where code yellow applies due to heavy wind gusts of 75 to 90 kilometers per hour. The KNMI warns that considerable damage and very dangerous situations can arise from falling trees and flying objects. The wind will decrease towards the end of the evening and into the night to Saturday.

A number of educational institutions in the region have decided not to give physical classes this afternoon. For example, Utrecht University wants to give students the opportunity to be home on time because there are no more trains this afternoon. The Hogeschool Utrecht also ceases all activities, the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt Gymnasium in Amersfoort closes the school after the fourth lesson.

Amersfoort Zoo is also on the safe side and closes its doors early this afternoon. The park is closed from 2 p.m. “Tomorrow we will be open again from 10 am! The animals have been thought of, they stay in safe places”, let the zoo know.