Netherlands storm causes roof collapse, fires and injuries

A severe thunderstorm swept the Netherlands on the night of 27–28 June, bringing strong winds, heavy rain and large hail. The weather triggered multiple incidents: a roof section over the loading bays of Royal Talens in Apeldoorn collapsed, though no one was hurt; lightning ignited fires at several locations, including a barn in Groningen that killed two calves and a historic windmill in Veldhoven whose cap fell onto nearby houses. At a music festival on the Brouwersdam, lightning injured ten staff members, one of whom was hospitalized. The storm also caused widespread damage in Friesland, where hailstones the size of dice fell and up to 100 mm of rain was recorded, toppling a tree onto a parked bus and forcing the early cancellation of the open‑air show "Dreamlân" in Dokkum. Authorities reported dozens of other minor injuries and property loss, but no fatalities. Mill owner Janus Kerkhofs said he is in talks with insurers and hopes the 1858 Zilster mill can be restored.

The KNMI had issued an orange warning for the region, which was later lifted after the worst of the weather passed. The event prompted reminders about insurance coverage for hail, lightning and storm damage, noting that standard liability policies do not cover such natural‑force damage to homes or vehicles.