Severe thunderstorm warning issued for City of Joburg

Residents in parts of Johannesburg will have to brace themselves for some rough weather conditions expected on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

The City of Johannesburg has issued a warning of potential thunderstorms in parts of the city, starting from as early as 10:00 until 21:00.

“The South African Weather Service (SAWS) National Broadcasting Centre has issued a Level 2 Impact Based Warning for the potential of severe thunderstorms over parts of the City of Johannesburg on Wednesday, 30 September between (10:00 until 21:00),” the city’s Disaster Management Centre said in a statement.

The City, however could not specify exactly which parts would be affected. The SAWS said residents were in for a few days of wet weather and that some of the possible impacts were temporary low level flooding and heavy winds, which could be damaging to mainly informal structures.

“Based on the warning, there is a high risk of minor to severe impact in places over parts of Gauteng. The thunderstorm formations will start in the early afternoons and reach their maximum intensity around (17:00),” the City further said.

It has also predicted that the store pockets would be associated with severe lighting, flash flooding, reduced driving visibility and damaging winds.

“This could result in damage to informal and or formal housing and business structures, temporary flooding of low-level road crossings, causeways, and susceptible low-lying residential areas”

Residents should take extra precaution

The City has further urged residents to be cautious and observe the changing weather conditions.

• Remain indoors, if possible
• Be on the lookout for flooded low-lying bridges
• Avoid open and isolated spaces
• Do not seek shelter under trees

The City has further called on residents to not cause panic by spreading weather messages and news that has not been verified.