Woman killed as gale-force winds batter George

George has faced a tragic turn of events today (May 11) after a woman was crushed by a falling tree at a business premises in Montagu Street. The fatality occurred during a morning of chaos that saw emergency services overwhelmed by reports of flying debris and structural collapses across the Garden Route town, reports George Herald.

In another incident, a pedestrian was seriously injured when he was hit by a road sign on the Thembalethu bridge. The Blanco incident occurred at Fancourt on Montagu Street at about 10:55.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies said the George police have opened an inquest docket. “The police were summoned to a scene at a premises along Montagu Street where a woman, employed at the business, had gone to park her vehicle when a tree fell on her. The members found the victim with multiple injuries. The medical personnel declared her dead on the scene,” said Spies.

George Herald is still awaiting information on the condition of the pedestrian in Thembalethu.

Network News earlier reported that travel and schools were disrupted in parts of the Western Cape due to rain and damaging winds.

Chaos as winds tear through town

Residents across George woke to scenes of destruction today as powerful winds tore through the town, uprooting trees, ripping roofs from buildings, and crashing debris into homes, forcing the closure of most schools.

Across the town, uprooted trees lie scattered over roads, pavements, and properties, leaving emergency services and municipal teams scrambling to respond to these incidents as they are reported.

Parents rushed to fetch their children after schools had sent out urgent messages announcing early closures as the conditions worsened throughout the morning. Some vehicles parked on the school grounds, as well as along nearby streets, were damaged by falling trees and flying roof debris.

For many residents, simply driving through town became a terrifying ordeal. One mother described the experience as deeply traumatic. “While you’re driving, trees are falling around you, one just missing you, then another crashing down in front of you. Suddenly you don’t know where to turn,” she said. “I drove onto so many kerbs just trying to get out safely. I’m traumatised.”

Another parent said the devastation unfolding across town was difficult to comprehend. “It looked like a movie playing out in front of us. If you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you would struggle to believe it.”

Widespread structural damage

Many residents also had to contend with heavy traffic congestion as several roads became impassable due to fallen trees and debris. In some areas, motorists were forced to divert repeatedly in search of safer routes.

The Blanco area was particularly hard hit, with several roads being cut off earlier in the day. Local business Build It suffered extensive damage when one of its brick walls collapsed.

In York Street, a section of the Millwood building’s roof was torn loose by the wind and blown onto parked vehicles and passing traffic, causing damage to multiple cars. Meanwhile, in Protea Road in Pacaltsdorp, the roof of a building used as both a church and nursery facility was entirely ripped off. Fortunately, the building had been evacuated earlier and no injuries were reported.

Residents are urged to stay off the roads unless necessary and to exercise extreme caution, particularly in areas where trees and structures remain unstable.

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