Strong winds damaged several properties in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, in the early hours of yesterday morning, with around 50 structures believed to have been affected.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service says emergency crews were called to Maanskynkop Street at around 4:35am after reports of damage to properties.
Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says crews found several houses with damaged roofs, with some roofs completely blown off. “One adult female was treated on scene for shock but declined transportation to hospital,” Carelse said.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says emergency services remained on scene while assessments were carried out to determine the full extent of the damage.
The situation was described as fluid, with the Disaster Operations Centre confirming that no injuries had been reported. The City has also cautioned against describing the incident as a tornado, saying it could not confirm that the damage was caused by a tornado.
For Tafelsig resident Nazlee Smith, the incident was sudden and frightening. Smith said she realised something was wrong when water began rushing into her home after the roof of her brother’s room was ripped off. “By the time I came out of my room, my brother was scuffling around because the water came gushing, so the room’s roof had ripped off completely,” she said.
Smith said the family then discovered that their carport had also been blown away. She said the family was fortunate that their gate remained in place because it was secured by a chain.
Smith described the experience as something she had never encountered before and said she initially focused on staying calm and helping her family. “It all happened so quick,” she said.
As residents begin assessing the damage, Smith said the reality of what happened was only beginning to sink in. “I think now, as the day is progressing, the reality hit of what struck, and I think more so, the level of shock is now,” she said.
