Home » Freak Hail Storm in Hoedspruit Could Cost Farmers Millions

Freak Hail Storm in Hoedspruit Could Cost Farmers Millions

A freak hail storm in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, on Tuesday night, has allegedly caused millions of rands worth of damage to the farming community… as big winds and large hail struck the region in South Africa suddenly, destroying between 80% and 100% of crops in some cases. Witnesses told Letaba Herald that the storm came out […]

By SAPeople Contributor
28-09-17 14:19
in Eish!

A freak hail storm in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, on Tuesday night, has allegedly caused millions of rands worth of damage to the farming community… as big winds and large hail struck the region in South Africa suddenly, destroying between 80% and 100% of crops in some cases.

hail
Photo: Refiloe Matome

Witnesses told Letaba Herald that the storm came out of nowhere. It was overcast… and then “the next thing, it was like rocks falling from above on our house…” said one resident.

The newspaper said that the damage will not only negatively impact the farmers, but will also severely impact the economy of the region.

Jaco Fivaz, from the South African Mango Growers’ Association, told the Herald that the Mohlatsi Farm has lost 80 to 90 per cent of their mango orchard… and that’s only the immediate loss. In coming years their trees will now not be in full production. He said it will take a few years to produce first class mangoes again.

The hail storm also caused serious damage to farms, vehicles and property in Kampusrus and Jonkmanspruit. Residents also uploaded videos of the hail storm a couple of hours away in Nelspruit.

Watch Hail Havoc in Hoedspruit – it never rains, it hails!

Crops were damaged…

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Crops destroyed.

As was property and vehicles…

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Serious damage to a car.

On Twitter:

https://twitter.com/StormReportSA1/status/912742736062803968

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Read the full article on Letaba Herald here:
letabaherald.co.za/43673/hoedspruit-millions-lost-hail-storm/