For Jesse and Yolande Petronio in Jukskei Park, the March 18 floods were not just a once-off disaster; they were a repeat of a problem they said has been building for years.

In the early hours of the morning, at around 01:30, heavy rainfall triggered a surge of water that tore through the property, collapsing walls, cutting power, and leaving the home exposed.

Read more: Flooding destroys Jukskei Park home, residents blame failed culvert

“We realised it wasn’t a normal downpour,” said Yolande. “When we went to check, we saw that the wall had already collapsed.” The water, carrying debris with it, broke through the rear boundary wall before pushing through the property and destroying the front wall.

Bricks and rubble were flung into the street, highlighting the intensity of the flooding. “Shortly after that, our power went out, and the debris took out the front wall as well.” In the aftermath, the immediate danger shifted to the road outside their home.

Bricks were scattered across Uveal Street, creating a hazard for passing vehicles. “There were hundreds of bricks in the road. Streetlights here don’t work, and with water and bricks across the road, someone could easily have been seriously hurt.

“With the help of a security guard, we had to clear them during the night to prevent an accident.”

Beyond the physical damage, the flooding has once again left the property vulnerable. “The longer it takes to rebuild the wall, the more exposed we are to criminals. We’ve already experienced break-in attempts before, and now it’s a concern again.”

Also read: JRA conducts structural and safety assessment on damaged stormwater culvert in Douglasdale

Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe, who visited the site, said the incident is part of a broader, unresolved infrastructure issue, linked to a storm water culvert along Juweel Street. “This is the second time in four years that walls have collapsed, and properties have flooded here.

We are still waiting for feasibility studies after four years. That is not acceptable when residents are suffering this kind of damage.”

He added that storm water flow is being further restricted by obstructions, including structures installed by nearby complexes, which prevent water from moving as intended.

Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said: “JRA is aware of the flooding, and the feasibility study is still underway. Once completed, the results will be shared with the community.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!