Stormy days

TORRENTIAL rain, high winds and lightning strikes had locals running for cover as rockfalls caused chaos on the Upper Rock.

Authorities closed the Nature Reserve and the Upper Rock to visitors ‘due to unsafe conditions’ as the Rock even saw hail falls over the last week. Lightning strikes meanwhile, knocked out the power at tourist sites like St Michael’s Cave and the Great Siege Tunnels.

Across town, buildings and streets flooded, and toilets overflowed, as the storm swept in.

Technical Division teams drove up and down the Rock locating rockfalls and assessing their impact.

The Department of the Environment advised residents ‘to exercise caution when travelling home through the Upper Rock. Sirens blared across town as lifts stopped working and major roads came to a standstill when over 20-25mm of rain fell in six hours.

Technicians worked overtime as the showers flooded the ICC shopping centre, damaging shops and their goods.