STORM HAVOC IN KZN
Motorists bore the brunt of the storm that lashed Durban for most of yesterday. Vehicles were submerged in flash floods, struck by trees and hit by containers and collapsed walls. These are just a few of the many pictures of the damage around the city
VIOLENT storms – and the strong wind, rain and hail they brought with them – left a trail of devastation in Durban and parts of the province yesterday.
At least eight people were killed and nine people are believed to be missing.
The southern regions were among the worst affected.
Robert McKenzie from KZN EMS said a 12-year-old boy died after he was swept away in a stream in Izingolweni, inland from Port Shepstone, and confirmed he was aware of at least four deaths.
Police Search and Rescue units were at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi where two people were killed when a wall collapsed.
Police were also in Old Main Road in Isipingo where one person died after the vehicle he was in became flooded.
In the Durban CBD, the SAPS attended the scene where a toilet wall collapsed, leaving one person dead.
Several private ambulance services raced to Rotterdam Road, in the Bayhead area, where a former police officer was crushed to death when a container fell on his car.
Rescue Care’s Garrith Jamieson said another man was rushed to hospital after a lengthy extrication.
Netcare 911’s Nick Dollman said reports indicated that a 40-foot container – which was stacked on top of others –was blown over.
“Paramedics attended to the two occupants of the car. The first man, who was approximately 30, had sustained relatively minor injuries but was trapped inside the car when the roof collapsed,” Dollman said.
“He was in a stable condition and was transported by ambulance to hospital for further assessment and care.”
He confirmed that the other man, believed to be in his 40s, had sustained severe injuries and died at the scene.
“To access the victims, the container first had to be removed and then firefighters and rescue personnel used the Jaws of Life,” Dollman said.
The Department for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, confirmed two deaths in Nquthu, northern KwaZulu-Natal.
“In Ward 8, Mbewunye, an 8-yearold
girl was struck by lightning and in Ward 2, KwaMngxangala area, a 46-year-old male drowned while trying to cross a river,” he said.
IPSS Medical Rescue’s Paul Herbst said a little girl was missing yesterday afternoon.
This after she was washed away by raging floodwaters near the creche she was at, in Umlazi.
“A crêche, built close to a nearby river, flooded. The teacher from the crêche managed to grab three of the children.
“Unfortunately, a fourth child got swept down to the river in the floods,” he said.
IPSS, together with ER24, conducted a search downriver but could
not locate the girl. Several others were rescued yesterday. Jamieson said in Kingsway Road, in eManzimtoti, a family became stuck inside their below-road-level house, when it flooded.
“Paramedics and SAPS entered the house and assisted a 14-year-old boy and an elderly lady to safety,” Jamieson said
On the M7, before Sarnia Road, several vehicles were submerged under deep water.
Jamieson said paramedics Ceron Jacobs and Ian Wessels, along with firefighter Justin Bateman, bravely dived into the water and pulled three people out from a bus.
The National Sea Rescue Institute’s Craig Lambinon said during operations in Montclair and Isipingo, a baby was rescued from a flooded home.
The acting MEC of Cogta, Weziwe Thusi, yesterday activated and dispatched disaster management teams to respond to the situation on the ground.
“Teams are providing emergency relief led by mayors, councillors, amakhosi, izinduna, ward councilors and community development workers,” Mabaso said.
He said the MEC had also activated joint operations centres in all affected municipalities.
“The department is warning that the extreme levels of rainfall will be followed by a cold front which is expected to reach KZN by the weekend.
Disaster management teams will continue to provide emergency assistance as long as necessary.”
The Department of Education, meanwhile, has advised parents to liaise with their children’s schools on whether or not they should send them to school today.
Several schools had to suspend teaching yesterday and the department was last night still trying to establish the exact number that had been affected. But some have already reported water damage to classrooms‚ fallen trees, broken fences and roof damage.
Spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said his offices had advised schools to assess their individual situations and decide on whether or not to hold classes today.
The eThekwini municipality is expected to hold a press conference today to brief media on the impact of the storm and its relief efforts.