Locals reported extensive damage from wind, rain and hail along the R40 towards Barberton.
One of the local organisations, Pro-Life Pet Rescue was also greatly affected. Founder, Karin Erasmus, said they were at the shelter when the storm hit.
“We just finished our new Wendy house when we saw trouble coming on the horizon. Luckily, all the animals managed to get into the houses in their enclosures. The houses are very sturdy and we are grateful that none of our animals were hurt,”
Erasmus said.
The facilities on the grounds, however, suffered a much worse fate. The majority of shade netting fell to the ground when the hail hit, taking the poles that were keeping it up down with them.
The entrances to the different enclosures were also eroded by flood water.
“The ground underneath the cement at the entrances got eroded and we tried to fill it up last night so that the animals could not get out,”
Erasmus said.
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The electric fencing was also badly damaged by the storm and Pro-Life was left without electricity. “We are afraid that we might be without water soon as we need to use electricity to pump water.”
According to her, they are in dire need of cement, poles, fencing, shade netting and paint.
Erasmus, who lives right next to the shelter, said the storm also uprooted trees in her garden and her pipes were blocked by the intense hail.
They were not the only ones who were affected. J&M Security’s Nico van Aswegen and his family were driving home on a dirt road when a tree fell onto their vehicle.
J&M’s Security’s Hendrick Botha said Van Aswegen had sustained minor head injuries, but was discharged from hospital this morning.
“His family was with him in the car, but luckily they were not injured.”
About six other roofs along the R40 towards Barberton were also blown off.
To donate to Pro-Life, phone 079-498-7971.
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