Windstorm destroys properties across Ho municipality, NADMO calls for calm

Several properties, including residential buildings, offices, billboards and other structures, have been damaged after a heavy windstorm swept through Ho, the Volta Regional capital, on Wednesday, November 5.

The storm, accompanied by rainfall, began around 5:00 p.m. and caused widespread destruction in several communities across the municipality.

The Ho Municipal Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Christian Youngs, disclosed the extent of the damage during a field assessment, speaking to Stone City Radio.

He said the storm affected properties at Sokode-Lokoe, Nima and other locations, while several billboards were pulled down along major roads, including the Lokoe Secretariat Roundabout, PWD Junction along Education Road and the Star Filling Station area.

The bus stop near the Fire Service station along the highway was also damaged, with debris scattered across the area and posing a threat to a nearby house.

Mr Youngs further reported that buildings at Anagokordzi had their roofs ripped off, with similar damage recorded along Nileem Street.

At Taurus Hotel along Volta Serene Road, a large tree fell onto an Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) power line, forcing the company to disconnect electricity supply to the area. ECG is working to restore power.

The storm also uprooted a tree along the Taviefe-Ho road, although the obstruction has since been cleared to allow motorists to use the route.

The National Health Insurance Authority's municipal office was among the institutions affected after a tree in front of the building fell, destroying solar panels and damaging the facility's fence wall.

At the National Communications Authority office, another fallen tree near the security post damaged a vehicle parked within the premises.

Other affected areas included Ho-Heve, Ahoe and the SSNIT Flats.

Mr Youngs said NADMO personnel were continuing their assessment of the damage and urged residents in affected communities to report incidents that had not yet been brought to the organisation's attention.

He assured the public that the fallen and damaged billboards obstructing roads would be removed, adding that NADMO was engaging their owners to facilitate the process.

He particularly cautioned motorists travelling from Goil towards PWD to exercise extreme care because a large billboard had partially collapsed across the road, creating a potential accident risk.

The NADMO director also proposed that large billboards should be installed in areas without residential settlements, while smaller structures should be used within towns to reduce the risk of similar incidents.

He advised residents to avoid parking vehicles or standing close to billboards, trees and other tall structures during rainfall, warning that such objects could pose serious dangers during storms.

Meanwhile, the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Stephen Adom, has led a clean-up exercise to clear debris and soil deposited on streets following the heavy rainfall.

The exercise took place around the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the High Court along Residency Road.

Mr Adom said he had joined the exercise to demonstrate leadership by example rather than remain in his office and direct others to undertake the clean-up.

"I have come out to help clean the city after the heavy downpour left a lot of soil and debris on the streets. This is leadership by example. I cannot stay in the office while others are out here cleaning, so I have joined them to sweep and clean Ho," he said.