Strong winds bring down tree at Elgin Road subway -chaos
Watch here what damage was caused in other parts of the province
The late afternoon storm that ripped through Gauteng on Monday afternoon caused severe traffic problems for many motorists trying to get home.
In Kempton Park it was no different. The strong winds uprooted a tree along the notorious Elgin Road bridge, causing it to fall onto the road as one enters from the Pretoria Road side.
The subway is known to cause traffic problems when trucks get stuck underneath the bridge but this time a huge tree did it. As it fell the tree took a lamppost with it.
With one side of the subway blocked, motorists travelling up Elgin Road decided to approach the subway into oncoming traffic, causing a major traffic jam.
Traffic on Pretoria Road quickly backed up as motorists had to divert to the CR Swart Drive subway.
The storm, accompanied by strong winds, hail in some parts and rain, lashed the city shortly before 4pm.
In Glen Marais residents were spotted removing a tree on Vlei Street close to Laerskool Kruinsig, which blocked one side of the road.
Traffic was also affected on the R24 following an accident near Barbara Road.
#JHBTraffic Accident on the R24 East after the Barbara Road exit- 3 lanes affected - Expect delays pic.twitter.com/Ma3tKrTiyQ
— EWN Traffic (@EWNTraffic) October 9, 2017
In other parts of Gauteng it was even worse. The N3 at Gillooly’s was closed as a result of flooding and in Jet Park a substation caught fire.
A plea has been issued to assist people and animals of Putfontein affected by this afternoon’s storm. About 100 to 150 houses have been badly damaged, according to local residents.
Putfontein CPF’s Gerhard van Seventer said the informal community behind Putfontein Police Station was badly affected. He said some homes had their roofs blown off in the storm, Benoni City Times reported.
#hail Benoni Courtesy Paul Koen @SAWeatherServic @JoelGuy_ @eNCAWeather @JohannesburgZA @Beeld_Nuus @maroelamedia @_ArriveAlive @TrafficSA pic.twitter.com/AET0XPdyRw
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) October 9, 2017
In Krugersdorp a tornado caused damaged to Cradlestone Mall.
