Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal experienced a severe hail storm on Wednesday, November 18.
Hailstones as big as tennis balls battered cars and properties for the better part of the afternoon. A municipality spokesperson told The Witness that they have received reports of at least 18 houses sustaining extensive damage, and that many houses in informal settlements were flooded.
More rain is predicted for Thursday, November 19. According to Weather.com, showers are expected to continue throughout the day, but no hail is expected.
Social media users shared pictures and videos of the hail, piling up as thick as snow in some areas.
Some were fascinated by the stones, measuring them and staging fights in the rain. Others expressed concern for the damage incurred and whether their car insurance would payout.
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@Albatrossoar some of the hail that fell in Pietermaritzburg this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ovFDUiPTOm
— Tim (@TimOrch) November 18, 2020
Nog ‘n video van haelstorm @ReenvalSA pic.twitter.com/muG4p27D06
— Riaan Naudé (@RiaanN2603) November 18, 2020
Hailstorm foto’s in Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu Natal @ReenvalSA pic.twitter.com/xw0PxJjsMt
— Riaan Naudé (@RiaanN2603) November 18, 2020
Wow, how was that Hail Storm this afternoon in Pietermaritzburg!! Not very nice. Few pictures around the Prestbury area, the weather still not looking like its going to clear soon, the rumble of the thunder still can be heard.#hailstorm#prestbury#pietermaritzburg pic.twitter.com/bwXPDYhMWE
— Sharene Wright (@sharene_wright) November 18, 2020
Hailstones as big as tennis balls battered Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday afternoon. Boarders at The Wykeham Collegiate rushed out to play as soon as the hailstorm ended. Video by Jackie Clausen @jackie_pics @TimesLiveNews @SundayTimesZA pic.twitter.com/e10spzQwD2
— Nivashni Nair (@NivashniNair) November 18, 2020
Another hailstorm in Pietermaritzburg pic.twitter.com/m7QLFSLGVo
— Naasidh Mahomed (@iamNaasidh) November 18, 2020
Pietermaritzburg just got hit by a huge hailstorm. Wow!
— Rethabile (@ciceronianretha) November 18, 2020
Lyk omtrent of dit gesneeu het, maar dis hael in #Pietermaritzburg. 📷 Marinda Senekal #hailstorm @SAWeatherServic @sawx_sa_weather @ecr9495 @CityOfChoiceZA @_ArriveAlive @tWeatherZA @JoelGuy_ pic.twitter.com/MMO0ngVkWA
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) July 11, 2020
Picture: Riaan Naude
