The late afternoon of Tuesday 21 December 2010 is a day that Aberdeeners will remember for a long time!
Just before 6pm, a devastating storm passed through the town, with hail stones the size of golf balls, accompanied by gale force winds. In half an hour the storm had passed, leaving behind sunny skies, and an unprecedented trail of destruction.
Hardly a single house escaped the fury of the storm. Windows were shattered, with many householders reporting over fifty panes of broken glass. Roofs, particularly on the older houses, could not cope with the combined force of the wind and hail, and on many houses sections of the roof bent up, causing water leaks through ceilings and down walls. At least four houses in Thembalesizwe had large sections of the roof blown off, and gutters all over were peppered with holes.
Roads were blocked by fallen trees, and in some areas overhead cables were blown down, leaving people without power for up to 24 hours. Trees left standing were stripped of their leaves, creating a green carpet on the ground. Garden pots were shattered, and plants uprooted or battered and stripped.
Residents claim they have never experienced a storm of this ferocity before. Only last March gale force winds ripped through the town, uprooting many trees, but damage to buildings then was mainly limited to that caused by the falling trees. Large hail stones have also been reported previously, but it was the combined force of wind and hail that caused so much destruction this time.
To date, local glass companies have invoiced over R60 000.00 worth of glass. Calls are still coming in to the glass companies as residents return from their holidays and at least two companies have run out of glass, as the suppliers were closed over the Christmas period. New stocks were expected this week. Several residents unfortunately returned to find themselves victims not only of property damage, but also theft, as the broken windows had given easy access to opportunist robbers.
Many stories of generosity and helpfulness have surfaced during this time, and the spirit of caring for one's neighbour has been very evident. Most people who had gone away had had the foresight to leave keys with a friend, and they have expressed their gratitude to these kind folk for all their help. Not only have they had their own homes to repair, but many have worked tirelessly to help those away on holiday. Old people living on their own have been touched by the caring shown by neighbours and friends, who have either helped themselves, or organized labourers to make repairs and replace glass. Some generous residents have also helped financially, unwilling to see eldery and vulnerable people left insecure without window panes.
Since the storm, Aberdeen has received several more days of rain, but this has been something of a mixed blessing. Those with leaking roofs have been up at night emptying buckets, as very little building repair has taken place at this stage. Much needed rain water to fill the tanks has, in many cases, been wasted as guttering leading to the tanks is broken. The leiwater channels are full of rubbish - even more so than normal - so roads and gardens have been flooded due to blockages, leaving a trail of empty bottles, plastic bags, and sundry organic matter all over the streets.
Abridged Article By: Sue Shaw
Photographs By: Dallis Graham, Michael Brown & Sue Shaw