Deinze (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Deinze, the Levensloop was postponed after Storm Amy caused damage to the Palaestra sports complex. Authorities delayed the event to secure the course and ensure participant safety.
As VRT News reported, the Levensloop, also called Relay for Life, in Deinze, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, has been postponed. Organisers decided after Storm Amy hit the area this morning, Oct 4, 2025.
Numerous trees lining the route were in danger of toppling over. Officials advised the public to remain indoors and keep away from roads lined with large trees, parks, and other areas where loose debris might fall.
What damage did Storm Amy cause in Deinze and Petegem-aan-de-Leie?
In Petegem-aan-de-Leie, a sub-municipality of Deinze, Storm Amy caused considerable destruction. At the Palaestra sports complex, a large tree fell on the roof of the gymnasium. Heavy branches pierced the roof in several places. Firefighters sealed the holes with foam rubber to stop further damage. Structures for future solar panels were also affected. There were no injuries. 7 jackdaws died in the accident.
The start of the Relay for Life in Deinze was postponed until 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct 4 2025. A large tree damaged by Storm Amy was located along the route. Authorities issued a code yellow weather warning that remained in effect until the evening.
Although it took longer than expected for the opening ceremony and candlelight procession to commence, the events proceeded as planned. The Relay for Life will finish on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 3 p.m. Officials stated that experts will examine the remaining tall trees in the immediate vicinity around the Palaestra sports complex in the days to come.
Storm Amy, the first named storm of the 2025–26 European windstorm season, formed on October 1, 2025, from the remnants of Hurricane Humberto. It intensified rapidly over the North Atlantic before making landfall in Ireland on October 3, 2025.
From 8.00 AM on 4 October to 8.00 AM on 5 October, the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium, anticipating 70-90 km/h wind gusts throughout the country, issued a “yellow wind warning.
The storm resulted in widespread travel disruptions, flight cancellations, and power outages in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Norway. It caused the death of one person and the loss of power to more than 200,000 homes in Ireland.
