WATCH: Heavy storm and hail hit Germiston, flooding Golden Walk Mall
The City of Ekurhuleni was battered by a midday storm that flooded parts of Germiston, forcing Golden Walk Mall to close temporarily as crews worked overnight to clear the water.
The City of Ekurhuleni experienced heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds and small hail in several areas, including the Germiston CBD, around midday on November 6.
As forecast by the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the storm brought intense rainfall, hail, and gusty winds. The Golden Walk Mall was among the worst affected, forcing the temporary closure of several businesses due to flooding.
A large volume of water entered the shopping centre through Entrance 3 on the western side, prompting an immediate evacuation and temporary shutdown of all stores inside.
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Cleanup operations began shortly after the storm, with high-powered suction machines deployed to remove water from the premises.
Employees, shop managers, and members of the Shopping Centre Management worked collectively into the night to restore normal operations.
@bedfordview.edenv Greater Germiston experienced severe flooding this afternoon following heavy rains that swept through the area. Public spaces, including shopping malls and government precincts, were forced to close early as water levels rose. Golden Walk Mall, located in the heart of Germiston, was among the hardest hit, temporarily suspending operations due to extensive flooding. Further reports revealed that several clinics and the Germiston Magistrate’s Court also ended operations early because of the adverse weather. The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster Management Department has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on flooded roads and to avoid affected areas where possible. #GermistonFloods #EkurhuleniNews #FloodWarning #GautengWeather #SafetyAlert
According to the DEMS, this was the only major weather-related incident reported and attended to within the City of Ekurhuleni on the day.
“The storm, which started around 12:00 midday, lasted approximately 40 minutes. Several roads were flooded with hail and large volumes of water, causing temporary traffic disruptions at some intersections,” said DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi.
“Thanks to the functionality of the city’s stormwater drainage systems, the accumulated water was drained away effectively.
Flood-prone subway bridges were closely monitored until the water subsided, and all affected roads were reopened shortly after the rainfall.
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“For the entire City of Ekurhuleni, no casualties were reported as a result of the adverse weather conditions. The DEMS department remains on high alert as more rainfall is expected across the city and the wider Gauteng province,” added Ntladi.
These storms follow an earlier weather event in the Germiston area, where the South African Weather Service (SAWS) observed a tornado near Rand Airport on October 9.
In a statement issued by the organisation, SAWS confirmed that an on-the-ground damage assessment of the observed tornado found no significant damage in the vicinity of Rand Airport.
“The only impacts noted were broken tree branches at the golf course adjacent to the airport, along with signs of heavy rainfall from thunderstorms, including puddles and muddy conditions,” the statement read.
“Community members in the area also confirmed that there was no structural damage or disruptive impact associated with the event, which had circulated on social media. Based on these findings, SAWS has classified the event as an EF0 tornado, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with estimated wind speeds ranging from 105 to 137 km/h.
“Such tornadoes typically result in minor damage, such as broken branches, shallow-rooted trees being pushed over, and light damage to roofs.
While EF0 tornadoes are relatively weak, they remain dangerous weather phenomena, and the public is urged always to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms,” said SAWS Senior Manager for Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Oupa Segalwe.
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The DEMS department has urged residents living near streams, floodlines, wetlands, dams, and rivers to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures during periods of heavy rainfall.
In the event of an emergency, residents may contact DEMS at 011 458 0911 for immediate assistance.
