The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute said it was expecting the country's first serious autumn storm, with gusts of up to 60 mph possible Thursday night and expected to strengthen early Friday.
The windy weather also hit commuters on their drive home, with a total of 260 miles of traffic jams on Dutch roads — double the usual amount, motorists' organization ANWB said.
Ferry operators canceled services Friday from the mainland across the Wadden Sea to a chain of small islands off the country's northwest.
Two crew members were missing after a tug boat capsized in a harbor near the Hook of Holland port, the Dutch Coast Guard said.
A helicopter, a plane and other boats were hunting for the missing men and police divers were searching the overturned boat. The three other crew members were rescued.
It was not yet clear if strong winds battering the Dutch coast played a role in the accident.
The weather was not bad news for everybody. In The Hague, hardy surfers donned thick wet suits to ride waves kicked up by the strong winds.