Tornado Tears Through Vaal Marina, South Africa, Injuring 50
An apparent tornado has torn through the Vaal Marina Monday afternoon, leaving devastation in its wake with fallen trees blocking roads, roofs blown off homes, walls collapsed and boats destroyed. According to ER24 the severe wind injured at least 50 people, of which 25 had to be transported to hospital. Celestine Lourens captured unbelievable photos […]
An apparent tornado has torn through the Vaal Marina Monday afternoon, leaving devastation in its wake with fallen trees blocking roads, roofs blown off homes, walls collapsed and boats destroyed. According to ER24 the severe wind injured at least 50 people, of which 25 had to be transported to hospital.
Celestine Lourens captured unbelievable photos and videos at Villa Indaqua Guesthouse… with scenes more reminiscent of Midwestern America and the Wizard of Oz, as a young boy rushes to take cover in the house as clouds swirl menacingly above.
https://www.facebook.com/celestine.lourens/videos/pcb.10155346139814538/10155346131239538/?type=3&theater
Celestine said the South African Police Services, Disaster Management and various emergency services (including ER24) were giving assistance.
“Please pray for everyone who lives there and was affected,” she wrote on Facebook.
Seconds ago she wrote that although it had given everyone a “groot skrik” (big fright), their damage is minimal compared to those around them. “Dis so hartseer om al mense te sien wat alles verloor het.” (It’s heartbreaking to see the people who have lost everything.)
Meanwhile Bentie Bezuidenhout posted photos and videos from Misty Bay, Vaal Dam… showing the tornado approaching.
He said there was a bit of damage to trees, windows and roof tiles, with two or three roofs blown off at the boathouses. Powerlines are also down and they expect them to remain without power for a couple of days.
Bentie reported that one man had been taken away by ambulance, and one horse died while another was injured, in his area.
ER24 said: “At least 50 people sustained minor injuries after a severe wind caused extensive damage in the Vaal Marina area in Midvaal late this afternoon.
“When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 18H00, they found extensive damage caused by the wind. Rooftops were blown off and power lines were damaged. People on the scene described it as a tornado to paramedics.
“Upon further assessment, paramedics found at least 50 patients sustained minor injuries. Half of the patients were treated on the scene and a total of 25 patients were transported by ER24, as well as another medical service on the scene, to hospital for further medical care.”
Photos and Videos of Tornado at Vaal Marina
https://www.facebook.com/bentie.bezuidenhout/videos/pcb.10215094660228318/10215094605386947/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/bentie.bezuidenhout/videos/vb.1485600841/10215094604266919/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/bentie.bezuidenhout/videos/vb.1485600841/10215094580106315/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346154519538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346154549538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346123929538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346128049538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346130794538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155346131154538&set=pcb.10155346139814538&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/celestine.lourens/posts/10155346139814538
https://www.facebook.com/bentie.bezuidenhout/posts/10215094660228318
https://twitter.com/ER24EMS/status/940294713755820033
After the tornado… what’s left of Harbour Town
https://www.facebook.com/bentie.bezuidenhout/videos/10215094610267069/