Whirlwind rips up plot homes
More than 130 people were left petrified when their homes were rocked by a whirlwind storm on Tuesday (July 26).
Several plots in Nest Park, in Bapsfontein were hit by the weather phenomenon at about 5.15pm.
READ: Watch as tornado sweeps through Tembisa
According to Jill Watson, one of the volunteers who helps those worst affected, 15 houses were heavily damaged.
The storm damaged the homes of 130 people in the area, some being displaced and taken in by neighbours.
Welbekend Helping Hands has undertaken the task of feeding those hit by the storm and bringing them dry clothing.
Residents in the neighbourhood were impressed with the organised response from the community around them.
The Springs and Kempton Park SPCAs, Eskom, the Benoni Lakes Lions Club and Welbekend Helping Hands received praise from community members, for the ongoing efforts in the area.
“There are people cutting up the fallen trees, Eskom has been working constantly to reconnect power and the Lions have organised for funds to help here,” said Grant de Gouveia, whose house was one of the last in Nest Park to be caught in the storm’s path.
De Gouveia said his wife Desireé had to be taken to Netcare Linmed Hospital.
“She will be operated on today,” de Gouveia said on July 28.
“She was sitting in the lounge when the storm came over; the window exploded inward and some of the glass hit her.”
Watson said the community effort needs metal and plastic sheeting for roofs, nails, plugs, screws, fencing, wire, grinding discs and welding rods.
For more information or donations, call Lee-Ann de Witt on 084 694 4708 or visit the Welbekend Helping Hands Facebook page.
The Ekurhuleni Metro has called for donations from the public to help areas affected by the recent extreme weather.
For any enquiries residents and organisations wishing to make donations may contact the Ekurhuleni Emergency Centre on 011 458 0911.
More details to follow.
Also read:
A round-up of the extreme weather conditions in SA
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