Storm devastates West Rand, R’fontein spared?

A severe storm and an unexpected tornado wreaked havoc in Mpumalanga and Gauteng on Monday, 9 October – especially on the West Rand, and Krugersdorp in particular.

Then on Tuesday, motorists were left stranded on flooded roads in Durban following yet another downpour.

Many residents posted photos on social media of damage to their houses and businesses as well as flooded roads and fallen trees.

Protearif Primary School was badly damaged and several people were injured. Roofs were ripped off, classes damaged and a vehicle almost became airborne when the owner attempted to get inside it during the storm. Laerskool Muldersdrif also suffered damage. Cradlestone Mall had to close its doors for some time after its roof was ripped off. In a flooded subway in Luipaardsvlei a man was seen standing on the roof his car. A 30-year-old man died in the Krugersdorp area when a roof and wall collapsed.

Just down the road in Magaliesburg, hundreds of people were left homeless and had to find shelter in a community hall following the storm.

In Tarlton an estimated 60 people also lost their homes.

In Roodepoort, a long stretch of road – from Ouklip and Wilgerood Roads to Topaz Avenue – was closed due to a sinkhole.

But, the storm seems to have spared Randfontein, considering there were no reports of major damage. If you have been affected, send us your photos or tell your story by emailing us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za.

The question is, what will the weather have in store for Randfontein from Wednesday until next Tuesday?

The South African Weather Service expects no rainfall for the period, with temperatures reaching a high of 28°C (Saturday and Sunday) and low of 5°C (Thursday only).