Flood of destruction
RANDBURG – Flooding leaves destruction in several suburbs, several residents are treated for trauma.
The heavy rain in the early hours of 17 February caused the worst case of flooding in some areas in Randburg in the last 28 years.
The worst-hit area was next to the Klein Jukskei River, in Fontainebleau, Malanshof and Randpark Ridge, where 10 houses were flooded.
No one was seriously hurt, but ER24 paramedics treated three people for trauma.
The Platina Street bridge was also flooded in Jukskei Park, allowing water to flood a few nearby houses.
Flooding also occurred at Crystal Castle Educare Centre, Bromhof, and in two houses in Sharonlea. “I first heard three loud thuds,” said Randpark Ridge resident Caroline Meiring.
“As I got out of bed, I stepped in water… Everything was floating.”
Next door, in two separate flatlets, Riaz Khan, and Rebecca and Douglas Isherwood, woke up to their mattresses rising with the water in their rooms. They broke through their roofs, and waited on the roofs until help arrived.
“We were going to be trapped,” Rebecca said. “My husband punched a hole in the ceiling. When the fire department came they held up a small ladder that was shaking…. Then I climbed down.”
Douglas said that he was just glad he could do what he needed to so he and his wife could live. The couple agreed that if they had a baby, it would not have survived. During the incident, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, ER24, Community Support Services, Linden Police and City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) arrived to assist the victims. “I suppose we should be lucky we are alive,” said June Kotzé.
Heinrich Kühne said that this was the worst case of flooding he had seen in 28 years. Peter Meiring said that this was the fourth or fifth time the area had flooded. Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood and resident Priscilla Cillié coordinated a relief effort to meet the victims’ need for food, clothing, accommodation, and trauma counselling. Furthermore, Cillié organised a lunch at Randpark Golf Club for 22 victims on 22 February.
A dog was also found wet and limping in Randpark, and is believed to have survived being washed downriver. At the Platina Street bridge, the water level was above the height of vehicles, said local photographer Brian Farrell.
Details: Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood mikewo@mweb.co.za or 082 853 2174.
