The destructive hailstorm early in February left some residents in dire need as they try to piece their lives back together.
Sarah Phokela’s roof started leaking and when she went to look for help, the kitchen ceiling caved in.
Her geyser, fridge and some lights were damaged, leaving Sarah is in a financial rut.
Her son, Danny said, “The water was about knee deep around the house and there was ice on the roof. Our neighbours really helped us to get the water out and remove the ice from the roof. For that we are grateful because we do not know what we would have done without their help.”
When Sarah, a single parent and mother of three, built her family a house six years ago she did not anticipate that it would be so badly damaged by a hailstorm less than a decade later.
“We have to replace the entire roof. I am the only breadwinner and I really do not know what we are going to do,” Danny told the News.
Saki Mputhi’s one-year-old son ended up in hospital.
“The doctors tell us that he has pneumonia, which could be blamed on the house being too cold for him after the storm had ripped apart the roofing,” said the distraught father.
Mputhi was at work when the storm hit. When he got home he found parts of the ceiling on the floor and some of his furniture drenched in water.
Although some electrical equipment and furniture were damaged, he is more saddened by his little boy being in hospital.
His neighbours also helped him to remove the ice from his roof and the water from the living room floor.
Related articles:
• More destruction after rainfall
• Key West still closed after destructive storm
• Prepare for the rain and hailstorm
