Winds of up to 136 kph battered the Netherlands on Monday, killing one woman in Amsterdam and severely disrupting public transport.

Amsterdam’s fire brigade recommended people stay indoors after one woman died and another person was injured when a tree blew down on the city’s central Herengracht.

Reports that a second person had been killed when a tree hit his car were later retracted. The driver has been taken to hospital and is seriously injured.

One person was also hospitalised in The Hague, after being hit by a falling branch, news agency ANP said.

Amsterdam’s Vondelpark was closed because of the risk of falling trees and branches. People in Groningen were also advised to remain indoors.

Vlieland

The strongest winds – 151 kph – were recorded on the Wadden Sea island of Vlieland. Inland there were strong gusts of over 100 kph, weather bureaux said.

Train services to and from Amsterdam have been disrupted because of storm damage and the city’s tram services have also been shut down. Elsewhere, Dutch Rail (NS) is running reduced services. There are no trains between Delft and Schiedam because of trees on the line.

A DFDS ferry from Newcastle carrying 1,080 people has been unable to moor safely in IJmuiden port because of the strong winds, RTL news reported. The ship has now returned to open water to wait for the wind to die down.

Schiphol

Airline KLM earlier cancelled 42 flights to other European destinations but expects other cancellations to follow in the early afternoon.

Only Schiphol’s Oostbaan runway is open because of the wind direction and flights are being disrupted, the airport authority said.