Strong winds and heavy storms on November 30 battered Pretoria, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple suburbs, with blocked roads, power outages, and water interruptions reported throughout the metro.

Volunteer groups were among the first to respond in areas across Pretoria east.

Old East Forum’s spokesperson Jarad Frimmel said, “Strong winds kept our team busy across the Brooklyn, Waterkloof, and Muckleneuk areas on November 30, where several trees were brought down and left blocking public roads following the storm,” Frimmel said.

Frimmel thanked their trained members who arrived armed with chainsaws and specialised equipment, removing six fallen trees.

He said the trees were cleared, and the affected streets were soon made safe and accessible again.

“A big thank-you to our dedicated volunteer responders who jumped in to help, and to the community members who promptly reported the incidents. Your support makes all the difference,” he said.

Meanwhile, the metro has urged residents to remain patient as municipal teams battle widespread service disruptions caused by the same storm system, which intensified on December 1.

Thunderstorms, hail, high winds and continuous rainfall triggered major electricity faults, water-supply issues, road blockages and delays in waste collection across several regions.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said unstable weather conditions and forecasts of further storms are slowing down restoration efforts.

“The prolonged and intensifying weather conditions are disrupting essential municipal services across the metro.

“While all our operational teams are fully activated, the ongoing storm activity continues to limit safe fieldwork,” Mashigo said.

He added that lightning strikes, uprooted lamp poles, fallen trees, and hail damage have caused widespread power outages.

Mashigo said technicians are unable to repair live components or operate equipment safely until conditions stabilise.

“Water systems have also been affected, with pipe bursts, pump-station flooding and waterlogged ground contributing to intermittent supply.”

Mashigo said teams across water, roads and waste departments are responding where possible, but full restoration will only resume once the weather eases.

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