Tshwane residents warned of possible severe weather in the next few days

The Tshwane emergency services has warned residents to be careful following reports of expected severe thunderstorms around the capital city.

Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the South African Weather Services had warned of a risk of localised flooding over the southern parts due to the already saturated ground from the past rainfall.

“The weather service predicts scattered showers and thundershowers with some of the storms expected to be severe, with damaging winds on 10 and 11 November.”

This comes after some damage to houses in the north during a violent storm on Sunday evening.

Mabaso said the predicted impact of the storms would possibly include flooding of susceptible roads and low-lying bridges that would make travelling difficult.

He said the flooding would also make life difficult at informal settlements as the weather had the potential to displace some of the informal dwellers.

“Trees can be uprooted due to the wind and the fact that the ground is already wet in most places.”

He said the weather could further result in damage to infrastructure and property, as well as danger to humans due to flying debris.

“We call upon residents to remain vigilant and consider their safety as priority during this rainy season.

⚠️ ALERT: The SA Weather Service has issued a warning for LOW LIKELIHOOD OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS

📆WHEN: Tuesday, 10/11/20

📍AREA: Entire Gauteng

🔴POTENTIAL THREATS:
•Large hail
•Heavy downpours
•Localised flooding
•Damaging winds

📊RAIN ODDS: 60%

— Gauteng Weather (@tWeatherSA) November 9, 2020

Tshwane emergency services responded to incidents where severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail damaged roofs and uprooted trees in parts of Soshanguve on Sunday evening.

Mabaso said disaster management officials were dispatched to a house in Soshanguve block L and the Soshanguve police station barracks where roofs were damaged by the storm.

“The officials offered assistance to the affected family in the form of blankets and plastic sheeting.”

He said the department thanked the members of the community who had already helped cover the affected house’s roof with a tent made of polyethylene material.

“The family had already made alternative accommodation arrangements while the affected members at the police barracks were accommodated on the premises,” said Mabaso.

He said firefighters had to cut off trees that had been uprooted by the storm to clear the blocked R80/Bushveld Road near the Soshanguve police station and magistrate’s court.

“The emergency services department calls upon residents to report incidents on the 107 toll-free emergency number, since it has come to our attention that some houses were affected in Soshanguve block G and K, but these incidents were never reported,” Mabaso said.

“Isolated thunderstorms are expected on Thursday. Otherwise no rainfall is expected from Friday until Sunday,” Mabaso said.

When driving in the rain, please stay safe, obey traffics rules and drive safely.

✔Lights on
✔Reduce speed
✔Check following distance
✔Avoid distractions pic.twitter.com/JdXGN5YLMx

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) November 9, 2020

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