Communities in the north of Pretoria are reeling from widespread storm damage after a fierce weather system tore through the area recently.

The storm brought golf-ball-sized hail, powerful winds, heavy rainfall and widespread infrastructure disruptions, prompting urgent calls for safety, preparedness and community support.

Ward 50 was among the hardest hit, with Annlin, Sinoville and Wonderboom reporting destruction.

The ward councillor, Lenise Breytenbach, confirmed extensive damage to homes and vehicles.

“Windows were broken, cars were damaged, and some house carports and roofs were affected,” she said.

She noted that overflowing stormwater drains worsened the situation, with several homes flooded after drains became blocked during the downpour.

Breytenbach praised the efforts of the metro’s electricity teams, who worked through the night despite hazardous conditions.

“The electricity team worked 24/7, giving their best. They were very committed and worked long hours in bad conditions. Consistent feedback and challenges were shared,” she said.

With more storms predicted, Breytenbach urged residents to plan.

“Try to stay updated with the weather. Plan. Make provisions if you know you are going to be without power.

“Get dry ice to limit unnecessary losses on food, especially meat. Those using oxygen must plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Be safe,” she added.

Mariaan Petrus of Annlin mentioned that the storm didn’t have that much damage to her property.

“We were lucky that we are surrounded by big trees. Our property was not damaged that much, but I have to redo my garden after all this,” she said.

Further east, Ward 87 experienced hail and flooding, though not to the same extent as central Montana and Sinoville.

Councillor Freddie Pienaar said the damage was relatively contained.

“While Ward 87 experienced some flooding and hail, the damage was limited compared with the central Montana and Sinoville areas,” he said.

Pienaar advised residents to take precautions as storms continue. “Park vehicles under cover where possible, remain indoors during heavy rain and hail, and avoid outdoor activities such as jogging or cycling when hail is forecast.”

He added that the metro responded promptly to power outages and that normal service would be restored soon, except in Kameeldrift East, where residents have been dealing with separate recurring power issues for two weeks.

In Ward 2, severe road hazards, fallen trees, and ice made travel perilous throughout the morning.

Councillor Quentin Meyer described Pretoria North and Wolmer as among the worst affected.

“We’ve had multiple trees that fell over, damaged power cables, a lightning strike on a power pole, carports at local dealerships that collapsed, and several roads still covered with ice and debris, making driving extremely dangerous,” said Meyer.

He began escalating incidents immediately as they were reported by residents, co-ordinating with emergency services, parks and electricity teams.

“Unfortunately, I have not yet received proper feedback or support from the metro itself, but I continue pushing hard to get the required teams on site,” he said.

Meyer urged residents to remain vigilant. “Please be extremely careful. Many areas remain high-risk. Roads are slippery, there are loose branches, damaged infrastructure and potential live cables.

“Residents in flood-prone or low-lying areas must stay alert, report hazards immediately, and avoid unnecessary travel,” he added.

Wolmer resident Vitesh KP Hurinanthan described the event as catastrophic, as the storm brought personal loss and disruption.

“The storm can only be described as devastating. The hailstones were as big as golf balls, and the wind and rain caused huge damage,” he said.

He said his own awning and carport were destroyed, forcing him to cancel both his community feeding project and a planned World AIDS Day event.

Vitesh praised both Emergency Services and the private security company Maximum Security for stepping in.

“Emergency services had their hands full but did try their best. Maximum Security also played an integral part by helping and alleviating the strain,” he said.

He stressed the need for greater support for vulnerable households.

“We need a disaster relief fund for low-income areas to help rebuild and restore damage.

“These acts of God put more pressure on people already struggling and make them lose hope. Angels of the North Foundation is helping Pretoria North rebuild, but with more visibility, we can get more help,” he said.

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