What is suspected to be a powerful tornado ripped through a farm approximately 15km outside Middelburg on the Stoffberg road this afternoon, leaving extensive damage to buildings and property and terrifying residents.

Middelburg Observer reports that there were no fatalities reported. Residents say the storm struck within seconds at around 17:45, leaving a young boy injured.

Resident Brenda van Wyk says she was inside the house making coffee when the weather turned violent. “I suddenly heard the zinc roofing and the buildings rattling. Within seconds, the tornado was tearing through the farm,” she says.

According to residents in the area, three visible contact points of the suspected tornado were seen as it moved across the property, ripping corrugated iron roofing from buildings and scattering debris across the yard and surrounding fields.

Roof tiles were torn loose, steel sheets were twisted and flung aside, and several structures were severely damaged.

During the storm, Van Wyk’s young son was struck on the head by a flying metal sheet. He did not sustain serious injuries. “He is okay and everyone else is okay – thank God…” Van Wyk says.

While no lives were lost, the damage is described as extensive.

“We have enormous damage. I have never in my life experienced anything like this. I have never seen such devastating weather damage,” she says.

This is a developing story and there has been no official confirmation that this was a tornado.

Residents in and around Middelburg are urged to remain alert as severe summer storms continue to affect the region.

Middelburg was also battered by a massive hailstorm this afternoon.

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