Watch: Hailstorm blankets Brakpan and Springs, causing severe damage
After last night’s fierce hailstorm tore through several Ekurhuleni suburbs, thick banks of ice still covered the streets this morning, while uprooted trees, toppled light poles, damaged homes and power outages marked its destructive path.
Brakpan, Springs and various other areas in Ekurhuleni were battered by heavy rain, hail and strong winds last night, leaving widespread damage and most of Brakpan without power.
Brakpan Herald reports that subways and homes were flooded, and heaps of hail remained piled up this morning.
Residents reported shattered windows, collapsed shade nets, damaged ceilings and roofs, and gardens completely destroyed by the violent storm.
The Brakpan Herald asked readers on Facebook to share whether their properties had suffered storm damage, and dozens of comments, photos and videos poured in.
“Roof began to leak because of all the hail, on tiles, sitting room has wet couches, porch room under water,” said Schalk van Niekerk.
“Our house was under water inside, it looked like the ocean. Water streamed in from everywhere,” said Amelia van Wyk.
“Except for our roof now having new leaks that never existed, we’ll have to just put buckets there with the coming rain until we can afford to fix it.
“Our neighbours had a tree fall on top of the house, but we believe it’s not too big damage,” said Johan Machiel Barnard.
Watch: Video: Brakpan Herald Facebook/Demi Van Heerden
Watch: Video: Brakpan Herald Facebook page/Riekie Geyser
To see more photos and videos, visit Brakpan Herald’s Facebook page.
Springs residents shaken after storm causes damage
Springs Advertiser reports that the storm left parts of the town damaged and residents shaken.
The heavy rain and hail resulted in fallen trees, damaged roofs, flooded yards and power outages in several areas.
Residents of the Springs CBD, Siyabonga Mngomezulu and Mzaefani Dlamini, said they were among those affected.
“My friend and I were about to go out when the storm began. My phone is off, there is no electricity, it’s just chaotic. I have never experienced this in my life,” Mngomezulu said.
Dlamini added that a loud siren, often used during emergencies, could be heard throughout the area.
Dlamini added that a loud siren, often used during emergencies, could be heard throughout the area.
“We thought there was an earthquake, only to step outside and realise the whole ground was covered in hail. Soon after my room was flooded,” he said.
A local printing business owner also suffered major losses after heavy leaks damaged his printing machines.
His daughter, Chidima Akulewe, explained: “The leaking roof resulted in the machines being ruined. The roof of the house was leaking as well, water from outside came in through the door.”
Among the other damaged properties was Auto Tyres, Repairs and Fitment Centre, where parts of the roof collapsed.
By this morning, residents were cleaning up the piles of hail that had filled their yards. Eva Bulelwa said water leaked into their home, soaking their mattress and other belongings.
Bulelwa and other tenants are renting at the property. She added that some of the tenants are students at the local college.
“We put the mattress outside so it can dry, and we’ve been working since early this morning to clear the hail from the yard.
“We don’t know what we will do tonight when its time to sleep, everything is wet and its going to take a while for it to dry as it is still raining today,” she said.
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
