Standerton-residents up early to assess storm damage
According to information, the Concor-pumping units that supply water to the reservoir were not operational.
The thunderstorm that hit Standerton in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 November caused damage to businesses and uprooted trees.
It was a hub of activity in Krogh Street the morning with business owners and workers already busy with a clean-up operation.
A wave of storm water flooded an auto dealer at the intersection of Krogh Street and Vry Street, gaining momentum as it made its way lower down the street.
Although businesses were not completely under water, mops and brooms were needed and furniture stood outside. Some vegetation ended up in the middle of the road.
The Standerton Advertiser was just in time to speak to the home owners in Kerk Street, where a tree trunk split and landed in the middle of the road.
The Scharnecks estimated the tree to have been at least 45 years old since the rings on one branch had been counted. The Lekwa Municipality removed the tree speedily.
Other foliage and trees were noticed during the morning, showing the effects of the storm.
Gert Sibande College’s Skills Academy, out on the Leandra Road, did not escape unscathed.
Part of the roof at one building was blown off.
Electricity and water supply immediately became a concern.
According to Ms Wilma Venter, a community worker who is also active on Whatsapp-groups, the entire electricity network was under pressure.
Ms Venter complimented the electricians from Lekwa, who worked tirelessly to restore power to all the areas. She mentioned their cooperation, taking the number of electricians into account.
Water pumps were not functioning as well.
According to information, the Concor-pumping units that supply water to the reservoir were not operational.
The WhatsApp-groups were running in a more coordinated fashion later the week, bringing order to the complaints.
By Thursday, 12 November, a water truck from Goldi brought relief to high-lying areas such as Kosmospark and Stanfield Hill.
Motorists had to navigate wet roads in certain areas, running the danger of not seeing flooded potholes.
The newspaper sent a WhatsApp-message to the communications manager of the municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, on Thursday, requesting information on the damage done to the infrastructure.
Municipal feedback will be published once it is received.
The water did not yet evaporate after the storm.
