Langkloof storm wreaks havoc

According to the shop owner, the wind suddenly picked up just after 16:00 yesterday afternoon, 5 February.

Breaking News Gallery Video

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS AND VIDEOS - As if grappling with the ongoing drought was not enough, strong storm winds wreaked havoc in the Langkloof area yesterday, leaving farmers, business owners and residents to count the cost.

Tornado-like gusts tore roofs from buildings, damaged fruit orchards, stripped tons of apples and pears from trees, uprooted large trees and left several structures damaged.

“It was as if someone swept a giant hand over the trees and businesses,” said a shop owner from Noll. Our business was spared by the grace of God, but the wind caused total devastation across the entire town.”

According to the shop owner, the wind suddenly picked up just after 16:00 yesterday afternoon, 5 February. “Massive trees look as if they were picked up by hand and twisted. Power lines were torn down. A large part of the Langkloof was damaged by the wind.”

According to a farmer in the Langkloof near Avontuur, who wishes to remain anonymous, the areas affected by wind and hail yesterday include the following: Louvain (farm), Molenrivier (area), Krakeel (settlement), and the towns of Joubertina, Noll and Tweerivier.

“Their properties and orchards were not only destroyed by the wind, there was also hail damage,” the farmer said.

Heimersrivier, Misgund and Klipdrift were also reportedly affected. Herold did not suffer damage, but according to information, their power supply is still down. Waboomskraal was not affected at all.

SUPPLIED VIDEOS: Langkloof Storm aftermath – widespread damage captured

SUPPLIED VIDEOS:

WATCH:  Tornado-like winds wreak havoc in Langkloof in South Africa

‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’