Severe weather warning for floods and hail in South Africa
The City of Tshwane has issued a severe weather warning for residents on Monday, alerting them to a high chance of thunderstorms, which may bring hail and potential flooding.
The warning comes after the South African Weather Service issued Level 2 alerts for Gauteng and Mpumalanga on Monday, 6 October.
The weather system, caused by a cut-off low-pressure system, is expected to affect most parts of Gauteng from 14h00 to approximately 22h00.
Residents and businesses in the region have been told to expect heavy downpours that may lead to localised flooding, especially in low-lying areas, flat plains, and on vulnerable roads.
There are also expected to be large amounts of small hail over open areas, damaging winds and excessive lightning, which may result in structural fires.
As a result, anyone on the roads should expect traffic disruptions due to flooding, reduced visibility, and likely increased vehicle accidents resulting from slippery road conditions.
The city also warned that there may be localised service disruptions due to power outages and infrastructure damage.
Homeowners have been warned of potential damage to their properties, particularly to roofs in both formal and informal settlements.
“To ensure personal safety and minimise damage, residents are urged to stay indoors where possible and avoid metal objects such as fences or power lines that can conduct electricity,” the city said.
“Avoid outdoor activities like fishing or playing golf, as metal equipment can attract lightning, and refrain from seeking shelter under isolated trees or tall objects.”
Emergency Services are on alert and will continue to monitor weather conditions, promising to respond swiftly to any related emergencies.
With the changing of the seasons and Gauteng entering into its summer months, experts have warned residents to anticipate more severe weather over the coming months due to the increased likelihood of La Niña conditions hitting the country.
La Niña conditions bring wetter weather, far higher than the typical rainfall pattern.
While the SAWS’ five-month outlook notes that conditions could still remain neutral, it said that the chances of La Niña hitting the country by the close of the year have increased.
Weather patterns increasingly volatile
One sector that closely monitors the changing climate is the insurance sector, with South African insurers noting a rise in adverse climate-related weather events.
The 2024/2025 Santam Insurance Barometer Report noted that 18% of consumers had made a claim against a short-term insurance policy in the last 12 months, the highest percentage since 2019.
This indicates that consumers are increasingly falling back on their short-term insurance to deal with the impacts of these events.
From 2023 to 2024, insurers experienced a year-on-year increase in claims volumes due to flood, storm, and wind damage and a decline in hail claims.
According to Santam, a significant portion of the financial impact from weather events can be mitigated through preparation and proper maintenance.
It noted that a comparison of Q1 2024 versus Q1 2025 claims for flood and storm damage on policies reflects a decrease in claim frequency alongside an increase in claims value, indicating a rise in claim severity.
“Unfortunately, the damaging impact of severe weather is exacerbated by consumer negligence,” it said.
“We have seen worrying signs of consumers neglecting important building maintenance due to financial pressures.”
For example, Santam has seen a rise in weather-related claims where the loss or damage is due to gutters not being cleaned and maintained or flat roofs being neglected.
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