Metro activates Joint Operational Centre in wake of tornado damage
The City of Ekurhuleni has established a Joint Operational Centre (JoC) to assist victims of a tornado that swept through parts of Tembisa yesterday (July 26).
According to Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro, the tornado blew off the entire roof of Phumulani Mall, outside buildings of the Tembisa Hospital and numerous households.
The JoC will be functional 24 hours until the situation has been normalised.
“Various Ekurhuleni teams are on the ground. This includes Eskom and the City’s Energy Department working on restoring power outage in area,” said Gadebe.
“Search and rescue operations at the mall have been completed and the metro can confirm, after thorough searching, that no one was left trapped in the debris.”
Gadebe said the City’s Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS) is continuing with assessments.
“So far three people have been taken to the hospital with minor injuries.”
The thunderstorm blew up roofs of about 200 households in Winnie Mandela leaving an estimated 400 people displaced.
Other areas damaged by the storm include 100 shacks and 20 houses in Hospital View.
“The nearest Rabasotho and Olifansfontein community halls have been provided by the metro to accommodate victims. Food parcels and blankets will also be distributed to provide further relief to the affected.
“The metro will also deploy social workers and mobile clinics to provide counselling and other health services.”
WATCH FOOTAGE OF TORNADO:
Watch as tornado sweeps through Tembisa.
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