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 […]
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 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…
As was property and vehicles…
On Twitter:
Becky Patrick – Kampersrus near Hoedspruit pic.twitter.com/qP3M4uXU8z
— Storm Report SA (@StormReportSA1) September 26, 2017
Sever thunderstorms currently observed over the Eastern Parts of Mpumalanga. Heavy rain, winds and gholfball size hail reported in places. pic.twitter.com/449ynZhVVG
— Storm Report SA (@StormReportSA1) September 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/StormReportSA1/status/912742736062803968
Rain & hail Nelspruit Courtesy Yvonne Rodgers @SAWeatherServic @JoelGuy_ @eNCAWeather @AfricaWeather_ @venter_annette @debeer_anika pic.twitter.com/aj5MIGS10b
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) September 27, 2017
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Read the full article on Letaba Herald here:
letabaherald.co.za/43673/hoedspruit-millions-lost-hail-storm/