Major storm hits Empangeni – WATCH

A major storm has rocked Empangeni in KZN, South Africa, leaving homes, shopping centres and vehicles damaged and trees uprooted in the roads. Sadly, it is believed that two people lost their lives when a wall fell down behind a mosque. This has not yet been confirmed.

The storm apparently came “out of nowhere” at around 4pm, according to witnesses.

Damaged property included the Game Store and Sanlam Centre in Empangeni, with a Spar sign strewn across a road.

SA Trucker said it was a “massive storm with very strong winds and lightning”. It left lots of debris on the road.

One local, Jasper K, said he had a nightmare trip home from Empangeni and that the rain was “bucketing down” with the John Ross “completely awash; and trucks, cars and buses spraying rainwater in waves, like having a shower in the darkness as they hit you”. He said the storm hit at 16h15 and cars drove at a maximum speed of 30kph, with bad light as it was totally overcast when the storm hit.

He added: “The big surprise was the excellent behaviour of all the drivers with no overtaking and speeding.”

One social media user, who posted several videos, called it “one hell of a storm” and said: “My heart goes out to the people in Empangeni – first looting hit bad and now a crazy tornado-like wind with hail; just devastating; so so sad… Today at approximately 16h00 they were hit with this… Knowing the Empangeni hearts of people, all will rally to clear the streets and start over. God Bless you all, stand strong Empangeni, my home for many years… Mayor and all political parties need to pull together to help this area hit so bad today.”

Game store Empangeni pic.twitter.com/GF6K5xfRmK

— Letho (@Le2o) April 3, 2023