The dorpie that got blown away

19 February 2014 - 02:19 By NASHIRA DAVIDS
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STORM DAMAGE: A neighbour removes curtains for Nellie and Jacobus Windvogel, who lost their roof during a freak storm that hit Barrydale in Western Cape on Monday afternoon. About 40 homes were affected in the nearby Smitsville area, officials said.
STORM DAMAGE: A neighbour removes curtains for Nellie and Jacobus Windvogel, who lost their roof during a freak storm that hit Barrydale in Western Cape on Monday afternoon. About 40 homes were affected in the nearby Smitsville area, officials said.
Image: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS

Jacobus Windvogel was indoors trying to escape from the sweltering heat. Moments later he was staring at the dark sky - his roof had been ripped off.

The 90-year-old great-grandfather from Barrydale in Western Cape said he had never seen anything like it.

"I was very afraid. There was heavy rain, wind and hail," said Windvogel.

"My son and my wife were in the house and we were told to look for shelter. It felt like a tornado." Windvogel has since moved in with his wife's family. But he is not the only one affected in the township of Smitsville. Ward councillor Amanda Swart said she is concerned about the residents.

"One pensioner had to sleep without a roof. There are homes completely flooded, and a Wendy house slammed into an RDP home. We are yet to get assistance from the municipality, and it looks like it will rain again," she said.

Barrydale, a valley nestled in between mountain ranges, has been hit by flash flooding, severe hail and heatwaves this year.

Strangely, the South African Weather Service knew nothing about Monday's storm.

Forecaster Rian Smit said other than a few millimetres of rain, nothing odd had been reported.

Gwendolyne Gosselin, who lives in the centre of town, said she missed the storm by a few minutes.

"It was surreal. I was driving from Worcester when I saw the rain and dark clouds in the distance. I thought: 'It never rains in Barrydale in summer.' But when I got into town, the roads were wet and there were branches everywhere," she said.

Her friend's chimney crashed onto the stoep of her home and her pine tree was uprooted.

Swellendam municipal manager Cecil Afrika said officials issued a report yesterday and relief was on its way.

According to the report, the storm lasted for about 30 minutes and "left a trail of devastation".

About 58 properties, including homes and businesses were damaged. Power line poles and fencing collapsed, leading to a blackout for a few hours. Fruit ready for packing on three farms can only be used to make juice after the hail.

"Similar damage was caused in May 1984 when 42 roofs blew off during the night," Afrika said.

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