Johannesburg - Eastern Cape residents whose homes were damaged during a tornado that twisted through their villages this week, were asked to remain at home so that government officials could help them, the province's human settlements department said on Friday.
"The assessment will include the exact number of families needing temporary structures and their homes rebuilt," department spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha said in a statement.
A child was killed and many people were injured in Wednesday's storms in Mthatha, Idutywa, Qumbu and further afield, which was so powerful that houses were destroyed and a bus was pushed over. In the Mthatha region alone more than 100 houses and 200 vehicles, including 26 police vehicles, were damaged. Four women were injured and 18 RDP houses were damaged.
In Idutywa municipal buildings, police offices and about 26 police vehicles were damaged in the storm. People had been sheltering with relatives and friends and government officials were conducting an emergency assessment of their needs.
The department said the temporary structures they would provide were ready to be distributed but could only be sent once the disaster management team had finished its site visits.
"The department urged affected families to collaborate with municipal and other government officials so that shelter and housing can be speedily organised for them.
"Provision of temporary structures will be done through a list obtained from disaster management officials, people are urged not to abandon their homes until an official had come to asses the damage and get their details for assistance."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Eastern-Cape-assessing-damage-20101224