Saturday 9 June 2012

*Photos* Freak storm hits Durban

A freak storm has swept through parts of Durban ahead of the bitterly cold weather forecast for parts of the province today.

Driving rain and hail made the roads treacherous and caused flooding in parts of the city last night.

The storm began south of Durban, in the Winklespruit area, and moved rapidly towards the city, hitting the Berea, beachfront, Durban North, Avoca, La Lucia, Umhlanga and surrounding areas.

Parts of city were transformed into a winter wonderland after the hailstorm, but the picture wasn't a romantic one.

Torrential rain - over 30 millimetres within minutes - hit first, followed by the hail, which pelted cars and windows and shredded vegetation in its wake.




(Above: These photos were taken at the corner of Beach Way and Kingsway in Durban North. Photos: ER24)


(Above: Hail in Durban North. Jessica Nicholson sent through this photo)

Visability on the roads was reduced to a few metres, and many of those out and about tried to take cover under bridges or along the side of the road.

Trees were felled around town, including in Durban North and in Armstrong Avenue La Lucia, which also experienced some flooding.





(Above: Hail in Kensington Drive. Sam Berry sent us these photos)

One listener told us of a landslide in his area. A Winkelspruit resident said power had been cut by the storm.

Many homes have been flooded. One Sunningdale resident in her 60's told Newswatch she couldn't recall a more violent storm, or such heavy hail, in Durban.





(Above: Cathy Yammin took these photos of her flooded garden in Glenashley)




(Above: Massive hail stones in La Lucia. Shelley Matzner took these photos)



(Above: Vicki van Wyk sent through this photo, also from La Lucia)





("We all had to scramble outside to cover our vehicles with whatever protection we could. It was absolute CHAOS! ... it was actually quite interesting to see what Durban would look like if it snowed," said Durban North resident Catherine McCann)









(Above: Christine Schoeman sent in these photos of the aftermath of the storm)

- East Coast Radio: Newswatch

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