The talk of the town is the tornado which hit Springvale, near Alexandra, damaging property and unsettling residents, at approximately 6.30pm last night (Saturday December 17).

Springvale resident Mandy Wilson said everyone was shaken up afterwards but okay. 

“At first it was ‘wow look at that’, then the kids started screaming and panicking, and we realised that it was coming towards us and we could be in danger.”

She felt lucky the tornado turned when it did.

“It changed direction, so we realised we were okay. We tried to calm the kids down while also ringing neighbours to check on them.

“Afterwards, we stood there wondering what we actually would have done if it continued our way… you get taught what to do in an earthquake but never what to do in a tornado.”

Mandy said Golden Rd residents quickly checked each other and their vehicles.

“We have a Golden Road Facebook page which was inundated with messages of help and making sure everyone was safe. Locals were working on houses until late last night covering roofs, and I’m sure everyone will help with the clean-up today.”

Tornado Touching Down. PHOTO: Emily Attfield

Dunstan High School student and the Central App’s brand new cadet journalist Emily Attfield,who watched the tornado, said, “it was crazy to see the tornado form and how quickly it caused such destruction”.

Tip of the Tornado

Galloway resident Kate Smithies said the storm caused water to pour in at her place.

“It was crazy here yesterday. The water pouring into the wall frames was unreal. We don’t know how bad things are behind the kitchen yet, but hubby is a builder and thinks that everything will have to come out to remove the wet batts in the walls.

The storm caused hail in Galloway much to the surprise of children in the area. VIDEO: Kate Smithies 

“Carpets are wet. Our neighbours up behind us are worse. Their carpets were drenched in their whole house yesterday.”

Builder Brendon Smithies previously worked on this property on Leaning Rock Rd that has sustained damage from the storm