Tuesday 8 January 2013

Families counting the cost of storm

(Above: The Swart's damaged home)

Families and homeowners in the Midlands are still busy taking stock of the damage to their properties after Sunday's severe storm lashed the area.

Trees were uprooted and many homes were damaged or destroyed when strong winds ripped through areas around Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton and Wartburg. The fallen trees brought down electricity cables, leaving many residents without power.

The Swarts, from Albert Falls, are among those who felt the full, terrifying strength of the storm.

The roof of their home was torn off - exposing support beams and damaged walls to the elements.

Ginette Swart says they have been left devastated and have had to move in with family:

"The damage is very bad and there has been talk of just demolishing the whole place. We are meeting the builder there again today just to see what they have to say. But it's really bad, I don't think they can salvage much of that."

Swart has been speaking to Newswatch while returning to the property to salvage some items from the home.

She and her husband, Ryan, were in the house when the storm struck.

"It came from nowhere. Our Staffie got a little bit nervous and it was kind of getting quite dark behind the house. We literally were standing inside the dining room; my husband said 'look at the ceiling, look how it's lifting' and with that he shouted to me that we need to get out now."

More images available HERE

- East Coast Radio News

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