Strong storms spark deadly flooding in Johannesburg, South Africa

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather Staff Writer

November 13,2016; 7:10PM,EST

 

Strong thunderstorms created chaos in the Johannesburg, South Africa, region late this week.
The Gauteng Provincial Government confirmed the death of at least six people in the resulting flooding.
As of Friday evening local time, several people are still reported missing. Gauteng Premier David Makhura will declare a disaster for the area so they are able to receive more resources.
Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni experienced the worst of the flash floods on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to homes and motor vehicles and killing at least six people.
"A significant number of our citizens from across Gauteng are continuing to be displaced as the heavy rains continue into the weekend. Provincial and local government disaster management teams have been doing a great job in assisting to provide temporary relief to those affected," Makhura said.
According to Gauteng ANC officials, the Johannesburg Disaster Management Centre has been activated for assistant and co-effort to investigate the damage.
Wednesday's rainfall was so extreme it was likely to be a once-in-a hundred-year occurrence, the South African National Roads Agency said.
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"Thunderstorms have brought 1-2 inches (25-50 mm) of rain to areas from Johannesburg to Pretoria Thursday night into Friday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Eric Leister said.
Storms erupted over Johannesburg this week. (Instagram photo/tiromalinga_)
"Some of these areas were hit by heavy rain earlier in the week which also produced flooding," he said.
According to Municipal spokesperson Lubabalo Majenge, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and a hailstorm caused major damage to homes and infrastructure in Mount Ayliff in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Eastern Cape.
The Gauteng Provincial Government urged residents to be cautious this weekend as more floods are anticipated. Residents living near rivers and streams were told to evacuate to a safer place or higher area.
While a thunderstorm is possible again on Sunday, storms should not be as intense as past days and flooding will not be as great of a threat.