Videos show a powerful winter storm that wreaked havoc across Europe

REUTERS/Eric Miller

Ice from the breath of Gail Davis forms around her face as she exercises by walking outside in Minneapolis, January 8, 2014

A powerful winter storm caused mayhem across Europe on Thursday, with snow and winds reaching up to 140 kph (87 mph) in some areas of the Netherlands, according to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute.

The storm affected air and land transport across countries.

Amsterdam's busy Schiphol airport briefly suspended flights and closed two of its three departure halls after its roof plates were blown away by strong winds over the departure terminal.

It's flagship airline KLM suspended or canceled several flights to and from Amsterdam.

Eight people, including two firefighters, were killed across Germany, Brussels, and the Netherlands as heavy winds caused trees to fall and traffic accidents to spike, the BBC reported.

Videos showing the powerful storm were shared on social media.

Trucks were overturned on highways:

Roofs were ripped off of buildings:

Metal structures were completely blown over:

Pedestrians and cyclists clung to traffic posts:

Gale-force winds made it difficult to walk:

Business Insider Netherlands contributed to this report.