VIDEO: Tornado spotted in R’fontein

A tornado was captured on video in the greater Robin Park area as a storm swept through parts of the West Rand on Monday.

The famous Uncle Harry’s Roadhouse, the Life Robinson Hospital and the Randfontein Golf Club were slightly damaged by the so-called tornado.

Jimmy Pappas, owner of Uncle Harry’s, was sitting in his flat at the roadhouse when he heard the sound of the wind getting louder. “The wind made a very loud howling sound and I knew it must be a tornado,” Jimmy said. “When I looked outside, the leaves were blowing in a circular motion while the sound of crackling trees increased.”

Tree branches were broken, traffic signs and billboards were flattened and roof tiles were smashed by the tornado. “The vicious wind howling round the windows really scared me,” Jimmy said.

Members of the community claim to have seen the wind funnel from as far away as Hoërskool Riebeeckrand.

Randfontein last experienced a similar event on 31 May 1967, when a tornado ripped through the Greenhills area, injuring many people. Fortunately, no injuries were reported yesterday.

The South African Weather Service received no reports of tornado conditions in the area.

Heavy rainfalls were predicted, but the tornado was completely unexpected. A sixty per cent chance of more rain is forecast for the next day or two. A storm also peppered the area with hailstones as large as 2,5cm in diameter.

Share your video or picture of the reported tornado on the Herald’s Facebook page.

Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.

Also read: 

Throwback Thursday: Freak weather way back when

On the road in wet weather, be cautious

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