Storm causes widespread damage to Mbombela, leaves several families without roofs
The City of Mbombela said several structures had been damaged in a storm that swept through the city and surrounds.
A storm that swept through Mbombela and its surrounding areas on the evening of Saturday October 2 caused damage to several structures and lead to prolonged power outages in various places.
The City of Mbombela said in a statement that it was still assessing the damage in the aftermath of the devastating storm.
“The region of Ehlanzeni is still reeling from effects of the freak storm that had hit certain parts, leaving some areas without power and some families without shelter,” read the statement.
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A preliminary assessment done by the City found that damage was done to the following structures:
• Tekwane South: One RDP house’s roof was blown away, as well as those of two formal and one informal structure. One informal structure totally collapsed.
• Ward 22, Pienaar: The roofs of 12 houses were blown away.
• Ward 14, Pienaar: The roof of one formal structure was blown away and a tree fell onto one informal structure.
• Ward 31, outside KaBokweni: The roofs of one house and a school block were blown away.
• Ward 26: A total of 18 houses, both RDP and formal, suffered damages of roofs being blown away.
The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) confirmed preliminary assessments had been done by the Ehlanzeni District Municipality, along with Red Cross volunteers and the City of Mbombela’s disaster management centre.
According to Cogta, about 55 houses in the City and some parts of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality were damaged.
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“All affected families who have been reported to be in need were provided with tarpaulins, blankets and gel stoves.”
The South African Weather Service recorded 26 millimetres of rainfall at the KMI Airport and 13 millimetres in Mbombela in the 24-hour time period ending on October 3 at 08:00.
Several areas were also left without electricity for prolonged stretches of time following the storm. According to Thea Rix of the Mbombela Electricity, Water Roads and any Service Delivery Information Facebook group, power has been restored to most parts of Mbombela, though some areas are still affected by outages.
