The South African Weather Service has issued a level 1 warning for strong winds, which pose a risk of localized damage to temporary structures in KZN. Forecasters have advised caution for high-sided vehicles traveling on the N3 on Wednesday, alerting them to potential crosswinds expected over the north-western area.
Tragically, five people lost their lives on Monday during a powerful storm that struck communities north of Durban. Areas around Sandfields in Tongaat bore the brunt of severe weather, resulting in roof damage and street flooding. Heavy rain, hail, and winds caused havoc in the afternoon, with eyewitnesses reporting a significant tornado passing through Tongaat.
Additionally, a level 4 alert for disruptive rains was issued earlier for parts of the KZN coast. Most incident reports originated from Tongaat, although other areas, including Umgababa, Durban Central, and the western region, were also affected.
Strong winds affected communities in Newcastle, Dannhauser, and Nquthu. Samantha Meyrick from IPSS Medical Rescue reported that their team responded to emergencies on the north coast, including one where a woman lost her life due to a collapsed wall.
Search and rescue teams faced unprecedented challenges due to the extent of the devastation. Riza Saddack from the Community Emergency Response Team assisted affected communities north of Durban, noting numerous collapsed buildings, flying roofs, and obstructed roadways.
Tragic news came from Reaction Unit SA, confirming the death of a 16-month-old toddler after a wall collapsed in her home in Sandfields.
