Historic Huisekoutermolen Windmill Destroyed by Downburst

A powerful downburst during a severe thunderstorm on Friday evening has completely destroyed the historic Huisekoutermolen windmill in Huise, a sub-municipality of Kruisem in East Flanders, Belgium. The 35-ton wooden structure, which dated back to at least the 17th century, was ripped from its central post and smashed to the ground in an instant. Remarkably, no injuries were reported.

“A mill collapsing is a miller’s greatest fear. That fear has now become reality,” said Jos Hooghe, one of eight millers who operated the windmill, speaking to VRT NWS. “It is truly destroyed. I don’t know if there will be much left to salvage. The most important thing is that no one was injured.”

A Landmark Lost in Seconds

The downburst — a localized, powerful column of descending air — struck during a thunderstorm that swept across East and West Flanders on Friday evening. Local resident Jef van de Velde described the scene to Het Laatste Nieuws: “It happened in a fraction of a second. It was incredibly fast and very intense. We were extremely shocked.”

The mill broke at its weakest structural point — the central post (staak) of the post mill design. Despite the total destruction, miller Patrick De Ruyter confirmed the structure was in excellent condition before the storm. “This is beautiful wood, perhaps 200 years old, but there is absolutely no rot. The mill was well-maintained, but it simply broke at its weakest point due to an exceptionally powerful gust of wind,” he said.

Initial damage assessments estimate the loss at approximately €900,000.

Five Centuries of History

The Huisekoutermolen, originally known as the “Hoogmolen,” was first documented in 1512 in Waregem, West Flanders. Designated as a protected monument in 1944, the mill ceased operation in 1948 before being purchased by renowned mill expert Paul Bauters in 1971. Bauters dismantled the structure, moved it to Huise, and meticulously restored it between 1972 and 1975, according to Wikipedia.

The mill was re-erected on the site of a former stone ground-sailer that had burned down in 1851. Bauters renamed it “Huisekoutermolen” and used it as a training center for millers. After his death, the mill was donated to the vzw Vlaamse Molens (Flemish Mills association).

Beyond its historical significance, the windmill was a beloved landmark in the East Flanders landscape, situated on a ridge between the Scheldt and Leie river valleys. Cycling enthusiasts recognized it from television broadcasts of the Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen), where it was a familiar backdrop. The mill remained operational, grinding grain for local farmers, and was open to tourists.

Community Rallies to Rebuild

Even before the debris had settled, local residents mobilized. An action committee called “Red de Molen” (Save the Mill) was formed with a clear mission: rebuild the iconic structure.

“There simply must be a mill here again. We will rebuild it together,” De Ruyter told HLN. Hooghe echoed the sentiment: “There simply must be a mill here again, it cannot be otherwise.”

For Hooghe, this is the second time he has witnessed a mill’s destruction. In 2011, a whirlwind destroyed the Beukelaremolen in Houthulst, where he also served as miller. Experts have already arrived in Huise to assess what materials can be salvaged. The nearby Schietsjampettermolen in Wannegem-Lede also sustained damage from the same storm, as reported by AVS.

The Brussels Times noted that the municipality of Kruisem described the mill as a cornerstone of Flemish windmill preservation, regularly hosting miller training courses there.

What Lies Ahead

The destruction of the Huisekoutermolen represents a significant cultural loss for Flanders, but the community’s determination to rebuild offers hope. The mill’s well-maintained wood may allow for salvaging and reusing materials, and the structure has been successfully relocated and restored before — a precedent that demonstrates the feasibility of reconstruction.

Questions remain about funding, with estimates for reconstruction likely running into hundreds of thousands of euros. However, the swift formation of the “Red de Molen” committee and the outpouring of community support suggest that this five-century-old landmark may yet rise again.

The storm that destroyed the mill was part of a wider severe weather event that followed a period of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching the mid-thirties across Belgium — conditions that created the perfect environment for violent thunderstorms.