The Mother City’s stormy weather continued to wreak havoc on Monday night, leaving two Athlone families in the dark after their flats roofs were destroyed.
Marchelle Parkins, a mother of four, lives in a block of Council flats in Kewtown.
She says they were forced to sleep in the dining room after their roof was blown away on Monday night.
“We thought we survived the storm, but no, it wreaked havoc and we have been in the dark for more than 12 hours,” she said on Tuesday.
“I had to make my children sleep in the dining room because their room was leaking.”
EXPOSED: Marchelle Parkins
Her house is filled with wet newspapers on the floor, used to absorb the water.
“My children ate viennas all day and we will go to sleep with garlic bread in our tummies as there is no electricity to cook.”
Her 69-year-old neighbour Sharifa Khan says her roof was also torn off by the strong wind.
“I had to move everything and if it rains again, water will fill this house as the roof is wide open from the strong winds,” says Sharifa.
The mothers say they have reported the matter to their ward councillor who lodged a claim on their behalf.
EXPOSED: Marchelle Parkins
Disaster Management’s Charlotte Powell said repairs to damaged infrastructure and mopping up operations are continuing across the city.
“Roofs were blown off in Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek, Rosebank, Kewtown, Sarepta and Lotus River.
“Weather-related power outages have been experienced in Sunnydale, Fish Hoek, Diep River, Claremont, Belgravia, Southfield and Gugulethu.
“Transport is clearing roadways across the city and Recreation and Parks are removing uprooted trees.”
Powell urged residents living in natural waterways to move to higher ground.
velani.ludidi@inl.co.za