Severe storm damage – City declares a local state of disaster
JOBURG – A storm in December lifted roofs, ripped up trees and left many homeless.
With over 3 000 households affected by the recent hailstorm that hit the south and west of Johannesburg especially, a local state of disaster has been declared.
Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba said after various meetings with officials within the City of Johannesburg, property damage has so far been estimated at R186,5 million. He said that as City officials continue to assess the damage, this number is expected to rise.
The storm lifted roofs, ripped up trees and left many homeless on 30 December. In Northcliff and other surrounding suburbs, many were left without power for days thereafter.
The mayor said the City’s group risk advisory services will continue to conduct a full risk assessment of the damage caused by the storm. They will also investigate the quality of some of the buildings, looking particularly into construction contractors’ identities, why the City issued certificates of occupation and the role of financial institutions that approved funding for construction.
The City, along with provincial government and organisations, has since been providing accommodation to about 1 200 of those affected.
An emergency hotline, 011 674 0038, has been activated for residents to report emergencies, service delivery disruptions and if they wish to make donations.
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