Ultimately, the gale-force winds became too strong even for this punishing event. Organizers brought the race to an early end after 250 of the 300 riders had finished.
Actually the early end was because the storm was still gaining in force and it would get too dangerous for the trucks transporting all the event's gear later in the day. For the cyclists the danger with storms like these are flying branches, falling trees and pieces of buildings blown off. But there's no trees there and the storm surge barrier is build quite solid, so the biggest danger for a cyclist is to get hit by a fish. Trucks can get blown over or blown off the road.
I'd like to take part once but for me it's too far away. I did a short ride through the storm yesterday before it was on full force and it was fun.