Soaking wet after thunderstorm
Tuesday night’s thunderstorm brought heavy rains and flooding in some areas.
Up to 28 mm was measured in areas like Sandbaai and Northcliff during the first downpour shortly after 18:00. A whopping 36 mm was measured in Northcliff and the Hemel-en-Aarde Estate. According to Theuns Willemse, 28 mm fell during the first downpour between 18:00 and 19:00. Overstrand Municipality reported that 38,4 mm was recorded in Hermanus within a short space of time.
Jeannetta Sophia Hoekstra mentioned on Facebook that she measured 28 mm of rain. “Last night 26 mm fell within approximately 10 minutes,” she wrote. “After that, we had 2 mm more. What a wonderful sight! Our two rainwater tanks overflowed and suddenly there were pools of water on the lawn.”
Residents of Vermont reported that the Salt Pan, which had been bone dry for quite some time, filled with water after approximately 22 mm fell on Tuesday.
Chris de Kock, a resident of Westcliff, says a wave of water hit his property.
“It looked as if a wave came from the street into our yard,” he said. “Two drains in our street and a drain on the corner of Church Street are blocked and this caused the flooding. The other houses on our street weren’t flooded. We called the municipality but they didn’t respond.”
De Kock and his wife suffered huge losses. “Half of our brand new electrical appliances have been damaged by the water. A brand-new stove, my gym equipment, a dishwasher, tumble dryer and our new washing machine were also damaged.”
The couple suffered similar losses four years ago after they moved to Hermanus.
“We lost half of our possessions — clothes, furniture and electrical appliances,” De Kock said, “which was very frustrating.”
Several businesses in the industrial area and CBD also reported damage from flooding.
“Every year when it rains our premises are flooded,” said the owner of Glassmen in Mimosa Street. “Over the last 10 years, we have suffered damage every year.”
Judy Roberts, co-owner of Cupboards Inc in the Hermanus Industrial Area, praised the local firefighters for coming to their rescue.
“They were absolutely amazing,” she said. “We suffered huge losses.”
Old Mutual Finance offices in Main Road were under water, reportedly due to a blocked stormwater drain.
Pappin & Pretorius Optometrists in Main Road had to replace the floors of two of their rooms.
“We don’t know yet if our machines were damaged as we haven’t switched them on yet,” said Luhanie Pretorius. “The flooding wasn’t as bad as in previous years.”
The Overstrand Municipality reported that the Fire Department assisted with floodings in Swartdam Road.