The weather

Saturday, 8th Dec.
We were invited to a Xmas braai (LIU) at some friends home in Edenvale. It had been overcast most of the day, but didn't look like rain. On the way, on the N1, we drove through a terrifying storm. The water was a solid sheet falling straight down. At least the traffic slowed, everyone we could see had their lights on, and their hazards, and were traveling at about 70 - 80 kph. After a few kilometers we drove out of it, and were once again in an overcast, gloomy weather situation.

On arrival in Edenvale, I could see the storm had traveled the opposite way as the clock ticks, but was headed in our direction. We didn't even bother to unpack the car, but parked and ran indoors just before it came down. And did it come down!

In the 15 years that our friends have lived in their home they have never seen so much water. In fact, the following picture give a view, but don't do the real thing any justice. In minutes the road was, wall to wall, a rushing river. The kids stripped down to their boxers and went and played in the street. The power of the water was evident when it nearly knocked LuckyL off his feet.

Storm water drain manholes were tossed aside like cardboard, the river at the bottom of the road rose 3 meters in 20 minutes! A pile of bricks packed outside someone's home on the pavement was thrown over and bricks were scattered across and down the road up to 150 meters from their original place!!

There were a lot of cars that had stalled, as the water was up to 400mm deep in some places where roads crossed and storm water drains were unable to cope with the deluge.
Overall, a frightening experience.

The kids in the street. GMan almost lost his shorts!
The stormwater drain manhole cover tossed aside!
Bricks in the road - about 150 meters from their original packed position on the pavement.
The water was very deep. Only big SUV's and cars like our VW Kombi could navigate some of the roads.
The river, with about 2 inches to go before it comes over the bridge!

Salagatle!