Three people have been injured after gale force winds have blown off several roofs and damaged a number of properties in Athry Walk and Phillians Walk in Hanover Park.
The South African Weather Service issued a Yellow level two warning for damaging winds and large waves yesterday as a robust cold front was expected to make landfall in the Western Cape today, heralding strong to gale force winds traveling 60 to 70kph.
Also read: Weather warning: Damaging winds expected in Western Cape
‘Emergency services are on scene and busy with assessments,’ said JP Smith in a Facebook post. ‘According to initial assessments, the roofs of six properties were blown off and a further nine sustained extensive damage.’
According to later assessments, 20 formal houses have been damaged and ten backyard dwellings, reported SmileFM who said damages were mostly due to debris from the roofs blown off from surrounding properties.
Smith added that three people sustained minor injuries and have been attended to.
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Smith said the City’s Disaster Management Centre was coordinating City services to assist the affected communities as well as humanitarian relief through its NGO partners.
City teams have attempted to secure large plastic sheeting to offer short-term protection to the properties to prevent further rain damage.
‘Gift of the Givers is currently on site to assist. Blue Ribbon has also offered bread and soup which will be delivered to victims of the storm damage,’ added Smith.
Ward Councillor Antonio van der Rheede was also on scene assisting with the response.
In a video circulating widely on social media speculating that a mini tornado has hit Hanover Park, the roofs of several two-storey homes are seen missing and damaged, as well as shattered windows.
Apparently there was a mini #Tornado in Hanover Park 😳#Capetown pic.twitter.com/mXIah8dQOI
— Shaheem Laattoe (@shaqct) August 25, 2023
‘Claims of a tornado affecting the area cannot be verified at this stage and needs to be investigated by SAWS,’ says Smith in response.
SAWS forecaster Henning Grobler told News24 that he was aware of the reports, but added that they would need to confirm them through video and photographic evidence.
Hanover Park Community Policing Forum general secretary, Yaseen Johaar, said ‘A few residents were rushed to hospital because the platters of the window glass pierced their skin. Some have glass that went into their eyes and need urgent medical assistance’.
Any weather-related emergencies can be directed to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Smith said reports of similar storm damage in Mamre have also been received.
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Picture: Hanover Park my Home / Facebook