Key Takeaways:
- A severe hailstorm hit parts of Gauteng, causing widespread damage and disruptions
- The City of Ekurhuleni and City of Tshwane were among the areas affected, with reports of power outages, damaged infrastructure, and flooded households
- Residents reported hailstones the size of freezer ice blocks, causing damage to homes, cars, and buildings
- Emergency services are conducting a situational assessment to determine the full extent of the impact and are working to clear roads and restore accessibility
- No major injuries have been reported, but residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid flooded or debris-covered roads
Introduction to the Storm
The recent hailstorm that hit parts of Gauteng has left a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. Residents in the affected areas, including Kempton Park and Pretoria North, have reported significant damage to their homes, cars, and buildings. The storm, which occurred overnight, brought with it hailstones the size of freezer ice blocks, causing widespread destruction and disruptions. Valencia Petje, a resident of Pretoria North, described the experience as "like a winter wonderland, except I’m in panic mode."
Damage and Disruptions
The City of Ekurhuleni confirmed that most parts of Kempton Park, including the CBD, were without power due to the storm. The roof at Festival Mall caved in, affecting most retailers, and residents reported damage to carports. Cardia Fourie, a resident of Kempton Park, reported that her house was damaged by the hail, with five broken windows, damage to electric fencing, broken gutters, and a collapsed carport. She also reported that the roof in her home is leaking, and that other residents in the area reported about 12 to 15 broken windows. The City of Tshwane emergency services department also reported that the storm affected several parts of the city, causing localized damage across regions 1, 2, 3, and 5.
Resident Experiences
Residents who experienced the storm firsthand have shared their terrifying accounts of the event. Fourie said that when the hail started, "it sounded like rocks had started falling." She described the hailstones as "blocks falling, and then bigger round hail stones started falling." Petje, on the other hand, said that when the hail started, "It felt like the entire roof was going to cave in." Her house flooded, solar panels were damaged, and a bathroom window was shattered. She and her family had to huddle together and pray for the storm to pass, and she had to skip work to tend to the aftermath.
Response and Relief Efforts
The City of Tshwane’s emergency services department has responded quickly to the disaster, with disaster management officers and regional operations co-ordination departments conducting a situational assessment to determine the full extent of the impact. The city’s spokesperson, Nana Radebe-Kgiba, said that emergency services teams, including disaster risk management, remain on the ground attending to affected areas and supporting residents where necessary. The city has also received a weather warning from the SA Weather Service of a 60% chance of rain on Monday, and motorists and residents are urged to exercise caution and avoid flooded or debris-covered roads.
Aftermath and Recovery
As the affected areas begin to recover from the storm, residents are left to pick up the pieces and assess the damage. Petje said that she is thinking about those who are destitute and people living in informal settlements, who may have been more severely affected by the storm. The city will continue to monitor weather developments and share updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The storm may have passed, but its impact will be felt for some time to come, and it is essential that residents and authorities work together to rebuild and recover.