According to the forecast from the Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM), intense rain is expected in many areas of Belgium on Wednesday morning, before clearing up more towards the end of the day.
The day will start with thick clouds and occasional rain storms. The disturbance will slowly move east. In some places, the storms will move slightly, meaning heavy rain could fall in a short time. The IRM warns that accumulated rainfall could reach 40 liters per square meter or even more. They have also issued a yellow storm warning for Brussels, Wallonia, as well as the Flemish provinces of Antwerp, Limburg and Flemish Brabant. The warning will be in effect until 7:00 p.m.
It will then become drier in the west and clearer in the east by the end of the day. Temperatures will be between 20°C in the Hauts Fagnes and 25°C in the west, under a weak to moderate westerly breeze.
The clearing will increase during Wednesday evening and night, with light clouds surrounding. Temperatures will range between 10 and 14°C in the Ardennes and between 13 and 17°C elsewhere.
Nearly thirty interventions for Liège firefighters
Liège firefighters intervened approximately thirty times in the evening and night from Tuesday to Wednesday, after the storm passed through the Liège area.
The interventions were mainly related to pumping and cutting. They intervened in particular in Liège, Enns, Herstal and Esneux. In Neuprey, a tree collapsed, while in Seraing, a stream broke its banks. The damage was limited and there were no injuries.
The province of Liège was placed on orange alert for storms by the IRM on Tuesday, it will remain on yellow alert until 7:00 pm on Wednesday like the rest of Wallonia.
Storm causes fires and floods in the Antwerp-Mechelen region
Violent storms that hit the Antwerp and Mechelen areas on Wednesday morning caused some (roof) fires and numerous floods, local firefighters said.
Antwerp firefighters had to intervene after a lightning strike set the roof of a house in Wilrijk on fire. The fire caused a lot of smoke but the occupants managed to escape safely.
In Willebroek, the A12 had to be temporarily closed to traffic due to flooding. The right lane towards Brussels is impassable while traffic lights near Schele are out of service. In the center of this Antwerp municipality, as in Boom, many streets and basements were flooded.
In total, firefighters in the Rivierenland region received 90 flood-related calls.
A house fire also broke out in Kontich on Wednesday morning, possibly caused by lightning.
In the event of storm or water damage that requires the assistance of firefighters, the population is asked to dial the number 1722. In addition to this number, the public service also recommends that citizens turn to the electronic counter. The latter is “the most direct way to request help from firefighters in situations where no life is in danger”.
When someone is in danger the number to dial for asking for help is 112.
Forecast for the next few days
Thursday It will be sunny and dry, with the mercury reaching 23°C in the Upper Ardennes, 25°C on the coast and 26 or 27°C elsewhere. The wind will be strong, blowing generally at a moderate speed except on the coast, where it will be moderate to quite strong.
FridayAn area of rain will reach the west of the country. In the eastern part the weather may remain dry and sunny until the evening. The maximum temperature will be between 22 degrees in the sea and 25 or 26 degrees in the Campine.
SaturdayThere may still be showers, but it will probably be dry in most places. Later in the day, the sun will gain more and more space from the west. Temperatures will reach 23 to 24 degrees in the center of the country.
sundayClouds will be variable but the weather should remain dry. The maximum temperature in the center of the country will be around 22 degrees.
weather storm summer