Three people sustained minor injuries after roofs were blown off at several homes in Hanover Park

Three people sustained minor injuries after roofs were blown off at several homes in Hanover Park on Friday morning.

COURTESY: Facebook - Hanover Park my Home

Gale force winds have affected properties in Athry Walk and Phillians Walk.

Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said initial assessments reveal that the roofs of six properties were blown off and a further nine sustained extensive damage.

‘’Three of the properties are Council rental units and City Human Settlements has dispatched their maintenance unit to the tenants. The other properties are private properties which limits the City's ability to make repairs. We will instead focus on assisting with coordinating assistance and donations to these residents.‘’

The City of Cape Town says it is providing humanitarian relief to those affected.

‘’The City’s Disaster Management Centre is coordinating City services to assist the affected communities as well as humanitarian relief through our NGO partners.  We have attempted to secure large plastic sheeting to offer short term protection to the properties against ongoing rain damage,’’ said JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security.

‘’Gift of the Givers is currently on site to assist.  Blue Ribbon has also offered bread and soup which will be delivered to victims of the storm damage,’’ he added.

Residents are claiming it was a tornado that ripped through the area, but this still needs to be investigated by the South African Weather Services (SAWS).

Apparently there was a mini #Tornado in Hanover Park 😳#Capetown pic.twitter.com/mXIah8dQOI

— Shaheem Laattoe (@shaqct) August 25, 2023

The SAWS has forecast inclement weather for Friday and Saturday, which brings in rain, strong to gale force winds, cold temps and rough seas.

☔️🌊💨A cold front will make landfall over south-western Cape tomorrow (Friday, 25 August 2023) spreading eastwards on Saturday. Rain, rough seas, strong to gale force winds, and cold temperatures can be expected over parts of the Cape provinces. pic.twitter.com/WwsHhwmxEG

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) August 24, 2023

Smith said a similar storm damage has been reported in Mamre and Wolwerivier. The mayco member called for any private companies or people to assist with donations, particularly in relation to the roof repairs by making contact with Cape Town Disaster Management Operations Centre on 0215976000.

UPDATE AT 13:00

Twenty formal houses have been damaged and ten back yard dwellings sustained extensive damage.

''Damages to these properties were mostly the result of debris from the roofs blown off from surrounding properties.  No injuries or deaths were reported,'' said JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety & Security.

''Emergency Sheltering was activated at the AME Church in Hanover Park. Various NGO’s are on site to assist the community. The City’s Disaster Management Centre is engaging with the South African Weather Services to verify the weather event which caused the damage,'' he added.

Done By: Mitchum George