Severe weather today: Power outages, floods, displaced communities

The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued several alerts (including an Orange Level 5 warning) for severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail on Sunday.

The extreme weather conditions are “a result of a developing cut-off low-pressure system over the western parts” of South Africa.

Here’s what you need to know.

Weather update, 11 Dec

Severe thunderstorms in Gauteng

Saws issued an Orange Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large amounts of hail and heavy downpours in Gauteng.

Affected areas for the Level 5 alert include parts of the West Rand and the City of Johannesburg, as well as Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng.

The alert is in effect between 11am and 11pm on Saturday, 11 December and impacts include flooding of roads and settlements in low-lying areas, as well as loss of life due to fast-flowing streams.

Displaced communities and power outages

Several communities are at risk of being displaced and residents should expect structural damage to infrastructure due to hail.

Strong winds may uproot trees, while disruption to power services is expected as well.

ALSO READ: Severe weather conditions to persist in coming days

Storms, hail and downpours in Tshwane

Meanwhile, a Yellow Level 2 warning was issued for the northern parts of the West Rand and the City of Tshwane.

The alert is in place between 11am and 11pm on Sunday, for severe thunderstorms, damaging winds, large amounts of hail, and heavy downpours.

Impacts include flooding, harsh driving conditions, and travel delays due to wet roads and reduced visibility, as well as structural damage to buildings due to hail and strong winds.

ALSO READ: How we survived the floods: Families forced to evacuate homes

Weather updates: Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Weather alerts (in effect between 11am and 11pm on Sunday) for other parts of the country include:

• Orange level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms over the western parts of Mpumalanga.

• Yellow Level 2 warning for severe weather conditions over the central and eastern parts of Mpumalanga (specifically Nkangala, Gert Sibande, and Ehlanzeni).

• Yellow Level 2 warning for severe weather conditions over the southern parts of Limpopo, specifically Sekhukhune and the regions surrounding it.

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