Best of Johannesburg

When Nature Makes a Move: South Africa’s Key Hazards & How We Guard Against Them

Published

2 months ago

August 20, 2025

Chiraag

KZN flood damage 2022, Table Mountain wildfire 2021, drought in Northern Cape, summer storms Gauteng, community disaster response, Joburg ETC

A Community Remembered the Flood

In April 2022, KwaZulu-Natal faced one of the deadliest flood disasters in South African history. Torrential rain tore through the province, collapsing infrastructure and claiming over 400 lives. Roads crumbled, families were displaced, and the country watched a humanitarian crisis unfold. The trauma of that storm still lingers, serving as a harsh reminder that when nature moves, it doesn’t ask permission.

Floods: Our Most Frequent Threat

Flooding remains South Africa’s most devastating weather hazard. In fact, globally, floods make up roughly 35 to 40 percent of weather-related disasters. Our urban areas, particularly in Gauteng, Limpopo, and KZN, are especially vulnerable due to ageing infrastructure, informal settlements built on floodplains, and inconsistent drainage. In recent years, multiple metros have declared local disasters after heavy rains overwhelmed river systems and stormwater drains.

Flames on the Mountain

Wildfires are an annual risk, especially in the Western Cape. The November 2021 Table Mountain fire blazed through natural vegetation and historic buildings, forcing evacuations from UCT and surrounding suburbs. This was not an isolated incident. Hot, dry, windy conditions, especially during fire season, make areas like Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and parts of Joburg South vulnerable. Even in 2025, controlled burns and rapid-response teams are essential to stop wildfires from spiralling.

Drought: The Slow Disaster

Drought doesn’t make headlines, but it silently devastates lives. Cape Town’s 2015 to 2018 drought nearly hit “Day Zero,” when taps would have run dry. That crisis triggered widespread water-saving campaigns that changed how South Africans think about water. In 2025, erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and overdrawn groundwater sources continue to stretch water security, especially in the Northern Cape and interior farming regions.

Storms, Hail, Lightning, and Localised Damage

While floods and droughts make national news, severe summer storms disrupt daily life across the Highveld. Hail, gale-force winds, and lightning can cause millions in property and crop damage within minutes. Gauteng and Free State remain hotspots for these seasonal events, and with climate volatility increasing, sudden weather shifts have become more unpredictable. Local municipalities continue to issue frequent storm alerts, urging residents to secure outdoor items and stay indoors during peak events.

Climate Change: The Threat Multiplier

The South African Weather Service and international climate bodies agree: extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense. We’re experiencing longer dry spells, wetter wet seasons, and more unpredictable transitions between them. Research from the CSIR and global climate monitors highlights southern Africa as one of the world’s climate hotspots, meaning we’ll face faster and harder-hitting consequences unless adaptation efforts improve.

Taking Control: What You Can Do

Know what level you are living at. Understand your local risk. Do you live in a valley prone to flash floods or near grassland vulnerable to fire? Map your risk.
A family plan matters. Establish escape routes, designate meeting points, and decide who calls whom. Make it clear and practice it. Panic does not help.
Build your grab bag. Have water, nonperishable food, a torch, first aid supplies, and backups of important documents ready. Extended power cuts can happen.
Act before it is too late. Heed official warnings. Early evacuation saves lives. Secure your home by clearing gutters, trimming vegetation, and securing outdoor furniture.
Let your voice be heard. Join community safety forums, participate in disaster drills, and attend ward meetings. Local resilience is community-led, not just top-down.

Across social media, survivors of past disasters often share heartfelt tales of volunteers wading through floodwaters, makeshift shelters in community halls, and neighbours delivering food and blankets. These stories remind us that while nature can divide, it also unites.

South Africa may be tested by water, fire, wind, and drought, but our ingenuity, compassion, and community strength define how we endure.