A tornado allegedly caused extensive damage to houses on a farm and uprooted several trees about 20km outside Ermelo on the Lothair Road on 18 November.
A local farmer, Mr Thinus Venter, said he just managed to escape the destructive force of a tornado, which he estimated had a radius of about 20 to 30 meters.
“I was waiting for some of the workers to finish planting when I noticed the wind picking up.
“It was followed by some lightning, skies turning to a greenish hue and hail.”
According to him, at first it seemed like a dust storm was forming because it suddenly became darker, but it soon dawned on him that he was looking at a tornado touching down.
He said he indicated to the workers that they needed to get to safety which they managed to do just in the nick of time.
“I could feel the wind’s force and hear it howling just outside my vehicle’s door as I sped off.
“You don’t know where to go or what to do nor what the tornado is capable of.”
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Mr Venter said after it passed it left in its wake a trail of destruction.
“Trees were uprooted and houses’ roofs at an informal settlement were ripped off and found crumpled up kilometres away.”
Local farmers in the area assisted the affected residents with canvasses to cover up the areas where their roofs used to be.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Electricity to several houses on the farms has been interrupted.
Read the complete article in the next edition of the Highvelder Newspaper.
(All images supplied)
CORRECTION: The Highvelder initially stated a tornado allegedly caused extensive damage to houses on a farm and uprooted several trees near Lothair on 18 November. According to Mr Venter the farm is situated about 20km outside Ermelo on the Lothair Road
