According to information from the Gauteng Emergency Management Services (EMS) Soweto is one of the areas which was affected by the heavy hailstorm last Thursday and lots of families have lost their property.
Johannesburg EMS spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said severe downpours flooded parts of the Soweto last Thursday and since then the rescue teams had been dispatched are ready for a swift action if the hailstorm continues.
Mulaudzi said: “Multiple numbers of houses in Chiawelo, Dobsonville, Braamfischerville, Emndeni and Kliptown had been flooded, had their roofs blown off and their windows broken and halls completely destroyed.
“EMS teams are currently monitoring the extent of damage in other areas such as Alexandra and Diepsloot were cars windscreens were destroyed and different building,” Mulaudzi said.
Though EMS teams are visible, Mulaudzi warn residents to be careful.
“Motorists, pedestrians and children must always be indoors during cloudy days and they must avoid flooded areas as we don’t know how deep those flooded areas are”
He said no deaths had been reported.
“We will remain on high alert throughout the night. We hope the public will adhere to our calls.”
One of the residents John Mathe (56) whose house roof was destroyed said this was a shocking experience for him and his family.
“As soon as the roof started falling and we saw water leaving inside the seating rom, I thought that was my family’s last days to be alive.
“We quickly left the seating room and went to hide in the bedroom until the hailstorm stopped.”