GALE force winds lashed Durban and the east coast on Saturday, leaving a trail of destruction across the city as trees were uprooted, power lines came down, roofs were blown off and walls collapsed.
The city’s Disaster Management teams were deployed on Sunday to assess the damage and provide relief to those who were displaced and in need of accommodation and disaster relief measures.
According to a report tabled at an Executive Meeting this week, a total of 1920 houses reported structural damage which included walls collapsing and roofs being blown off.
ALSO READ: Municipal teams work to restore power after gale force winds
In the Lacey Road settlement, shacks were damaged when a large tree was uprooted and came crashing down on top of them. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Two families sharing a compound in uMlazi V-section, ward 76 were left with no shelter when their structure collapsed. A total of 20 people, including six disabled, are in need of temporary accommodation.
Teams worked around the clock to restore power after a reported 50 power lines were knocked down by trees which buckled under the force of the winds, leaving around 1000 people without electricity.
ALSO READ: Mop up operations underway after gale force winds lash Durban
There were 21 reports of blocked stormwater inlets and four reports of sinkholes. The clinic in uMlazi N-section was damaged when its roof was blown off and the Roads Department Depot uMlazi N-section ,where parts of the roof was blown off.
Kings Park pool sustained significant damage to the roof and at eThekwini Municipal Library, the large entrance door was blown off and roof sheeting was blown away. The Old Fort Complex sustained damage to the parking awnings.
The costs of the damage caused by the weather are still being calculated.
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