UPDATE: Horror start to Easter weekend as freak storm hits Ballito

As one of Ballito’s busiest times of the year – Easter weekend – got underway, disaster struck when a severe storm caused havoc last Thursday evening.

Trees fell into pools, houses were flooded, carports destroyed and roofs blown away during the storm which included pouring rain, bursts of hail and an immense lightning display.

One of the worst hit places was Gianni’s Ristorante at the Ballito beachfront.

Restaurant owner John Coburn said they had about 80 people in the restaurant when the storm broke at about 7.40pm.

“It was an absolute nightmare! The wind blew the roof off. Cables fell into the water as it rained into the restaurant and we did not have any electricity.” However, staff and managers rushed the customers to safety in the kitchen and Coburn’s office.

“We are so blessed that no one got seriously injured,” said Coburn, who has owned the restaurant for nearly eight years.

“Everything was destroyed. About 80 percent of the furniture was damaged.

“Having this happen at the start of one of our best trading periods of the year was just terrible.”

Coburn said the restaurant will be closed for the next three to five months.

PICS: Raging hail storm tears through Ballito

“Fortunately we are insured and our staff will be looked after with income protection while we are closed. It is a terrible thing, but Gianni’s will be back.”

The neighbouring Ocean Basket restaurant also felt the brunt of the raging storm which ripped out its sea-facing doors.

“Broken glass was everywhere,” said owner Jason Powell.

“We could not let our customers go home because of all the debris flying around outside. I could not get to the generator either because there was roof sheeting lying outside our front door.”

Powell said one customer had to be treated for cuts from broken glass, otherwise his staff had handled the situation well.

The restaurant was operational by lunch time the next day, despite some windows being boarded up.

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst said their teams attended four structural collapses, nine accidents, flooding complaints and treated 22 people.

Residents were also left in the dark that night and well into the weekend. KDM electrical department executive director Sibusiso Jali thanked their maintenance team for their non-stop work to restore electricity.

“A word of gratitude to KRAM’s dedicated staff who went days without seeing their loved ones. As KDM, we are grateful for your company’s commitment. Thanks to other service providers and KDM officials who have been working tirelessly throughout these dark days.

“To our patient communities, sometimes it is not just about fixing a broken or blown part – it is about clearing the ground, digging new trenches, replacing poles, and pulling new cables altogether. This can be time consuming, hence we plead for your patience at all times,” said Jali.

Neighbours, friends and strangers came to the rescue for one another during the storm. Whether it was to provide shelter for those who lost parts of their home or helping to clean up the debris the morning after, the community stood together.

Ballito resident Ben Smith said he so appreciated the help received from a fellow resident from Townsend Road who lent a selfless helping hand.

“This gentleman had major damage to his own home, but did not hesitate to stop to help assist the homeowner in Patricia Road who had lost his roof. Thank you so much,” said Smith.

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