{"id":838481,"date":"2025-09-29T09:54:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T07:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=838481"},"modified":"2025-09-29T09:54:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T07:54:34","slug":"severe-storm-warning-for-south-africa-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/838481\/severe-storm-warning-for-south-africa-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Severe storm warning for South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued severe storm warnings for parts of Gauteng, the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It cautioned homeowners and residents to prepare for potentially destructive weather conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency has classified the alerts at Level 2 and Level 4, depending on the severity expected in different areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Level 2, the public is advised to expect localised damage to infrastructure, property, vehicles, and livestock, as well as disruptions to municipal and essential services.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flooding could occur on vulnerable roads, bridges, and low-lying areas. SAWS warned residents not to seek shelter under trees or tall objects during storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also advised residents to park cars under cover where possible, and to regularly check its website and mobile application for real-time updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Level 4 warnings are more serious, with the risk of flooding affecting both formal and informal settlements, along with significant damage from hail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SAWS said there is a real danger to life due to fast-flowing streams, with major travel disruptions expected as roads and bridges could be obstructed or washed away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The public was urged to avoid rivers and swollen streams where water levels are above ankle height, stay indoors where possible, and move valuables to higher ground in flood-prone buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If trapped in a vehicle during a flood, SAWS advised abandoning it and seeking higher ground immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional warnings included avoiding contact with metal objects during storms, and refraining from fishing or playing golf, as rods and clubs can conduct electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These alerts come as spring brings in a mix of warmer days and volatile weather. While many South Africans welcome the change of season, experts warned that it also brings an increased risk of extreme weather events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research published in ScienceDirect shows that climate-induced storms, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent, intense, and unpredictable in South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Double check your insurance policies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Insurance companies are urging homeowners and businesses to act proactively in response to these risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ntabeleng Stamier, Product Systems and Analytics Manager at Old Mutual Insure, said that recent floods, mudslides in certain regions, and ongoing drought in inland provinces demonstrate how weather events are reshaping risks across the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese events not only alter the landscape but also fundamentally reshape the risks South Africans face, making it critical to have the right insurance in place, particularly for the agricultural business sector,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stamier emphasised that spring often brings heavy rains and storms to the Highveld and surrounding areas, making preparation essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She advised homeowners and businesses to carefully review their insurance cover to ensure it remains comprehensive and up to date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOutdated policies can leave you dangerously underinsured,\u201d she warned. Policyholders were encouraged to update their insurance after renovations, new equipment purchases, or other asset changes to avoid costly shortfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She futher highlighted that coastal residents are more vulnerable to flooding and storm damage, while urban households may face increased risks of fire or burglary during storm-related power outages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInsurance should be seen as a vital risk-management tool and not an afterthought,\u201d Stamier said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that regular maintenance, tailored cover, and open communication with financial advisers are key to minimising losses when severe weather strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpring cleaning your insurance is just as important as spring cleaning your home,\u201d she said. With the right cover, you can enjoy the season with confidence, knowing you are prepared for whatever the weather may bring,\u201d Stamier said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued severe storm warnings for the eastern parts of the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":767161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[1652,18600,853,21788],"class_list":["post-838481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-gauteng","tag-kzn","tag-south-africa","tag-the-south-african-weather-service-saws"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838481","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838481"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838481\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":838504,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838481\/revisions\/838504"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/767161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838481"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838481"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838481"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}