Freaky Tuesday
The day started out as normal, a balmy laidback late-spring day with nothing exciting planned.
I enjoyed a healthy breakfast of fresh fruit salad and yogurt, served in my Mom-in-law's very old dessert bowl.
My voile curtains had decided to say goodbye as the hot sun burnt holes in them, so off we went to the local mall to buy replacements.
It was past lunchtime by the time we finished stocking up on food and buying curtains.
We gave in to temptation as the smell of muffins baking from the Mugg n Bean Coffee Shop fills almost every corner of our local small shopping mall.
My treat lunch was cheesecake and iced coffee, yep, I indulged; although I ended up eating only half a slice. Hubby was sensible and ordered a Bacon & Cheese Muffin with Cappuccino.
We had our dinner as usual, and settled in to watch a TV series; there was calm outside and indoors!
The lights flickered a couple of times and then total darkness.
The emergency lights came on and that's when we heard it...
Hot gusty winds came from nowhere, furiously blowing dry hot air like I'd never experienced!
Within seconds it worsened and we ran around closing windows, the raging wind was so hot that I honestly thought there was a fire nearby, but all I could see were bolts of lightning lighting up the sky.
We thought we were in for a helluva storm, and prepared ourselves for the worst; took us back to the night of the April mudslides, but this time, the rain stayed away.
The wind suddenly stopped, dead silence, and we heaved a sigh of relief, but then it came back again, sounding even more furious!
I told my husband we were not going to sleep in our bedroom as we have a massive tree right outside our window that we'd been wanting to cut back, but never got around to it, as it will be a costly exercise! Thankfully the tree stood still and no branches broke off.
Suddenly, as if nothing had taken place, all was calm, not a sign of lightning and no rain came!
It was quite surreal.
Messages started coming in that there had been an explosion at a major substation that supplies most of Durban's electricity, 50% of our metro was in darkness.
Videos and photos were circulating about the explosion and the sky lit up in colours from the explosion and lightning as well; many thought it was an alien invasion or Armageddon, it was VERY unnerving, to say the least!
We expected to be in darkness and minus power for a very long time, but a couple of hours later the power came back on, and everything returned to normal.
It was too late by then to finish our series, which was getting really exciting, by the way, so tonight will be popcorn night, as we have a load of catching up to do!
Heat Bursts
This morning we learned that we'd actually experienced a rare meteorological event called a Heat Burst which some agencies are trying to fob off as 'Berg winds'; something we often experience, but what happened last night certainly was no Berg wind, this was something none of us have ever lived through!
Trees had blown over elsewhere, blocking roads, but we only had a pool and garden full of bougainvillea flowers this morning, needing a ton of sweeping!
The Jasmine survived and is still full of flowers with a heady scent, especially strong in the evening.
Last thought - these two banners, one in English and the other in Isizulu, hang in the church Dad Malan and Mom Lily were very much a part of, helping in their outreach programs. The sad funeral of a young man who was tragically gunned down was held there - his sin?
He had tried to help rehabilitate young drug addicts in his area, but this got in the way of ruthless people!
Original Content by @lizelle
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It sounds like an eventful day. I'm glad to hear that you are OK.
Thank you @kaazoom, it was quite terrifying even though it was over soon!
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Good Lord, that sounds terrifying. Glad you’re okay! Glad you told the tale, perhaps it’s a manifestation of climate change???
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We thought it may have something to do with climate change although these heat bursts have happened in other parts of the world before, and even here in Kimberley a couple of years ago, it was beyond scary!
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scary story, so I also have to look out, happened to be at my place again that night. I hope there is no wind in a sudden.
I hope you don't have to go through this very scary event @asklanbudi
That sounds like quite an event. I am glad everything is okay.
Thank you @apanamakid, so am I, we really thought some calamity was going to take place!
Your lunch sounds pretty good to me!! Wow, that heat burst sure does sound like an experience. I am glad all is well. I have never heard of that before. Glad your power came back on quickly - I always hate it when it goes out in the evening. So sorry to hear about that boy from your parent's church. That is so sad.
I'd also never heard of it before and have never in my life experienced hot wind like that, out of the blue, and fierce too. There was nothing we could do but sit it out. Thankfully it did not last long! It was very sad about the young man, my Mom was very fond of his mother who is absolutely broken, understandably.
Hope you're keeping well @apanamamama
That was a big scare!! Thankfully it was nothing major
Yes it certainly was very frightening @livinguktaiwan, this was a first for all of us here, I'd never heard of heat bursts before. Thank goodness it doesn't last long, but the intensity and the heat was terrifying. I could not help but think of the people who live in poorly constructed homes. The only news we heard today was about fallen trees causing traffic snarls in places. It was widespread too; my brother lives about a 40 minute drive from us, and they also had it. Their home is situated higher and more exposed, it took both him and his wife to close their door!
For a while you will still remember those terrible April episodes, but don't let it affect your health. It's good that everything is back to calm.
It is unfortunate about the girl who died because of evil people who have no compassion for anyone. Death comes to us when we least expect it and does not distinguish between good and bad.
I would like to know dear Lizelle what series you are watching, I am watching a very nice Korean series called Woo, the extraordinary lawyer.
Hi @carolinacardoza thank you for your concern, I think all of us get on edge when the weather starts acting strange. But I'm really not letting that affect me;)
It's really tragic as the young man was trying to help young people with addictions but it cost his life!
We usually enjoy thrillers/detective/ mystery shows but are in a 'period drama' phase at the moment, so we're watching Sanditon.
I'm sure your series would appeal to us as well, it has a very high rating, enjoy!
Hope you're keeping well Carolina!
Tuesday night was freaky with sudden heat then electrical storm that went on throughout the night, no accompanying rain, stranger still.
Sudden hot spells have been crazy these last couple of days, hope this is not going to be one of those summers we go into hibernation under the AC for months on end. Nearly forgot rolling blackouts, so suffer in silence my friend!
!LUV
Hi Joan, it was really crazy, it seemed to be worse west of Durban as far as Hillcrest. My brother had to call my sister-in-law to help him close their door, the wind was terrifying here as well. But it disappeared as quickly as it came, we had nothing for the rest of the night. Thankfully the lights came back soon but some areas close to Klaarwater power station still had no power yesterday!
Looks like we're in for a very hot summer.
Enjoy the rest of your day Joan xxx
Promise of rain over the weekend, hopefully... garden needs a sip of water.
Areas down here still intermittent electrical problems, water problems, sewerage not being contained. Two north bound problems on freeway between Ultra City and Galleria Mall with road repairs not even started yet!
Have a wonderful Friday, keep smiling....
Oh my gosh! I am glad you got through that. Good smart thinking about staying away from the room with the door outside. Sad about the poor man gunned down.
It is very sad indeed, still so young!
Hope you're having a good weekend my friend, winter must be on the way?