Hailstorm pummels Kempton Park, leaving damage in its wake
A severe hailstorm battered Kempton Park and parts of Pretoria on November 30, leaving homes, cars, and streets damaged, cutting power to thousands, and prompting the temporary closure of Festival Mall.
Image: Supplied
A powerful hailstorm tore through Kempton Park and parts of Pretoria on the night of November 30, leaving streets, roofs and gardens blanketed in ice up to 20 cm deep. Residents reported shattered windows, collapsed carports, dented vehicles and widespread flooding, with power outages affecting large areas.
Festival Mall temporarily closed after the storm damaged sections of its roof, mainly between Woolworths and Edgars. According to a statement from the centre, no injuries were reported and safety remains the top priority.
“Teams worked through the night to assess the extent of the damage and begin planning repair work to ensure the mall can reopen safely,” the statement read.
Social media users captured the scale of the devastation. @Cardia_79 wrote: “WINDOWS OUT. ROOF TILES BROKEN. CARPORT SHEETS COLLAPSED!!! Expect my insurance claim call tomorrow 😭,” while @Johan_Jordaan72 described hail 20 cm thick, with water leaking through ceilings and garden damage. @Moots__ commented: “Ke bone fela, that storm was crazeeee.”
Residents captured the destruction on social media as authorities warned of ongoing hazards.
Image: Supplied
City Power and local authorities warned that restoration of electricity could be delayed due to ongoing weather conditions, and residents were urged to take care on slippery, flooded roads. Outages have affected key areas from Spartan to Birch Acres, with teams working to restore power as quickly as possible. Some local services, including the post office, have experienced network disruptions, preventing residents from accessing online systems for essential tasks.
Insurance experts have advised homeowners and drivers to review their insurance coverage and take precautionary measures, including checking roofs and gutters, safeguarding vehicles from hail, and practising safe driving in wet and icy conditions.
Cleanup and damage assessment began on December 1, with residents encouraged to document all storm damage for insurance purposes and remain alert to further severe weather expected in the coming weeks.