Woman dies in PE storm
2008-10-08 16:47
Grahamstown - A woman died near Port Elizabeth amidst heavy thunderstorms and three people were injured in Grahamstown as a tornado ripped through the town on Wednesday morning, police said.
Nelson Mandela Bay metro disaster management said the woman from Bethelsdorp died at about 11:50 during heavy storms in the region.
"She tried to cross a low-water bridge, but was washed off and drowned," said disaster management spokesperson Lourens Schoeman.
Three people were injured and houses damaged after a tornado tore through Grahamstown on Wednesday morning, police there said.
"Some of the houses' roofs fell in and three people were injured," police spokesperson Milandi Coetzer told News24.
Houses damaged by tornado
Seven houses in Grahamstown's Vukani area were damaged during the tornado which hit the town at about 11:00, during heavy thunderstorms.
Coetzer said clean-up operations were still in process and the extent of the damage was not yet clear.
The three people were taken to Settlers Hospital in Grahamstown for treatment.
The tornado lasted for about half an hour, according to Coetzer and the weather was already clearing.
"It's completely clear," she said. "The sun is shining and the clouds have moved away. We can't believe we had any bad weather."
SA Weather Services spokesperson, Garth Sampson said the thunderstorms were caused by a cut-off low and that the weather would clear in Grahamstown for now.
More storms coming
Meanwhile, Port Elizabeth was in for more heavy storms later on Wednesday after more than 75mm of rain flooded roads and informal settlements this morning.
Nelson Mandela Bay metro disaster management said about 700 people in informal settlements were being evacuated.
"Otherwise there are isolated cases of flooding," acting head of disaster management, Lans Down said.
He said more heavy rains were expected at about 17:00.
"We are in the process of establishing a joint operation centre with all the different services," said Down.