Photos: Massive thunderstorm hits Knysna and Southern Cape

 

Photo by Murray Ralfe 

On Tuesday night 26 March 2013, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness and George residents experienced a severe thunderstorm like never before. With constant lightning, thunder rumbling, gale force winds and rain this was certainly one of the biggest storms in the Garden Route. Look4it Knysna posted regular updates on our Facebook page where readers expressed their surprise and fear.

One reader wrote: “The lightning hit my house, blew the electricity…very frightening!” Another reader wrote: “Worse in Durban, more than 10 years ago. This is the worst one I’ve experienced since then”. Riana wrote: “On the hil in Makou, will have to check all tomorrow but TV got some damage and looks like plug is fried where the flames/sparks came out. Do not want to relive that again, got 2 year old toddler”.

Pieter Cloete from Look4it Knysna and some readers were out and about and took some magnificent photos in Knysna:

View images HERE.

- Look4It - Knysna

Video: Storm Sedgefield - 26 march 2013 (Part 2)

Another 3 minute clip, taken from the storm on 26 March 2013 - Some folks don't know how intense our storms can be - well this is a taste... once again the cellphone camera is only able to capture images directly in its view... but the lightning surrounded us like this for 2 hours. Took us some time afterwards to get our doggits out from under the tables!

- Carly and family

Sedgefield Storm Video: 26 March 2013

We have our share of storms here. Last night (26 march 2013) was one of the scariest. This video starts slowly, while the cellphone camera was only able to capture lightning directly in its view, the lightening surrounded us entirely. Please remember to 'rescue remedy' your doggits during storms like these.

- Carly van Heerden and family, Sedgefield

Lightning victim still in ICU

JOHANNESBURG - A pupil from King Edward VII School (KES) who was struck by lightning is still recovering in the Netcare Milpark Hospital on Tuesday.

Nine first-team cricket players were admitted to the hospital last Tuesday after they were struck by lightning on the school's cricket pitch.

School officials said the KES boys were trying to cover the pitch after it begun to rain.

Hospital spokesperson Musthara Khan said one boy remained in a critical state in the trauma intensive care unit.

A parent of Johan Brooderyk, who was discharged at the weekend, said it had been a difficult time for his family.

“It’s been very stressful for us as a family.

“We couldn't believe it happened to us, however, we've had unbelievable support.”

Meanwhile, a Protea Glen pupil who was struck by lightning in Soweto died on Friday.

Bertha Ncube (16) was one of three girls who were struck by lightning while on their way home from school last Tuesday.

While Nokuthula Nkosi said her daughter, one of the survivors, was going through trauma counselling .

"It’s going to be a process, but she is going to heal in time."

- EWN

Lightning victims sedated, stay in ICU

Johannesburg - Two King Edward VII School boys were sedated and still in intensive care at Netcare Milpark Hospital on Wednesday after being struck by lightning, doctors said.

Dr Jon Opolot said their conditions were stable. While he would not disclose the nature of their injuries, he said it was unlikely they would need to undergo surgery.

A third boy, who was removed from the intensive care unit earlier in the day, was fully conscious and would probably be discharged on Thursday.

Nine boys were injured in the incident. Six have since been discharged.

All of them were members of the school's first cricket team.

Gauteng education spokesperson Charles Phahlane said the boys, who were aged between 16 and 18, were pulling the covers over a cricket pitch when they were struck.

During a visit to the three boys still in hospital, Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy told reporters a departmental probe into the matter would be concluded within a month.

"We came to express solidarity with the parents and the learners, especially those who are still hospitalised," she said.

Creecy said the pupils' parents were shocked. "They are upset to see their kids in that condition."

The school's principal David Lovatt said the pupils were disturbed and distressed at what had happened.

"Many young boys witnessed something horrific yesterday," he said.

Netcare psychologists had been to the school to offer counselling.

The six boys who had been discharged from hospital were still there on Wednesday, but did not speak to reporters.

- SAPA/NEWS24

Lightning kills Eastern Cape boy

A 17-year-old boy died and a 16-year-old girl was injured when lightning struck them at Msintsane, near Mthatha, Eastern Cape police said on Tuesday.

The teenagers were caught in a thunderstorm on their way home on Monday, Lt-Col Mzukisi Fatyela said.
"The boy died and the girl is in a critical condition in hospital. She suffered burn wounds."

- SAPA

Must read: Beware ..... Lightning Kills!!

Image: Charl Strydom (Click on image for larger view.)

Spring and Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. But don't be fooled, lightning strikes year round.

Hundreds of people are permanently injured each year. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and more.

Lightning is one of nature's most awe inspiring and dangerous phenomenon. The average lightning flash could light a 100-watt light bulb for more than 3 months! The temperature of a lightning bolt may reach 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is hotter than the surface of the sun!

A few simple precautions can reduce many of the dangers posed by lightning.

Do you hear it?

Once you hear thunder, it is time to act to prevent being struck by lightning. Generally speakingonce you can see lightning or hear thunder, you're already at risk for lightning injury or death. If the time delay between seeing the flash (lightning) and hearing the bang (thunder) is less than 30 seconds, immediately seek a safer location.

Avoid being in or near

High places and open fields, isolated trees, gazebos, open sided picnic shelters, sports fields, communication towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.)

When inside a building AVOID:

Use of the telephone or computer, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc.

If driving:

Stay in your vehicle . An enclosed vehicle offers reasonably good protection from lightning, as long as you don't touch metal.

Pay attention to weather and lightning warnings by the SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service and local weather forecasts should be monitored prior to any outdoor event to determine if thunderstorms are in the forecast.

Few people really understand the dangers of lightning. Many people don’t act to protect their lives, property, and the lives of others promptly because they don’t understand all the dangers associated with thunderstorms and lightning. The first step in solving this problem is to educate people so that they become aware of the behavior that puts them at risk of being struck by lightning, and to let them know what they can do to reduce that risk. Sport coaches and other adults who make decisions affecting the safety of children must understand the dangers of lightning.

Lightning is a dangerous threat to people in South Africa, particularly those outside in the spring and summer. With common sense, we can greatly reduce the number of lightning deaths in South Africa. When thunderstorms threaten, get to a safe place, stay there longer than you think you need to, stay away from windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity. SAWDOS will post educational articles throughout the remaining summer to focus the public's attention on the dangers of lightning.

Have a safe lightning and storm season!

Lightning pupils ‘saved by a miracle’

Worried family and friends of King Edward VII School pupils who were struck by lightning wait outside Milpark Hospitals trauma unit for news on their condition. The boys were pulling the covers over the cricket field when they were struck. Picture: Dumisani Sibeko

Johannesburg - Two King Edward VII School boys hit by lightning were probably clinically dead when a paramedic father rushed to their sides and gave them “basic CPR”.

Both were in a critical condition at Milpark Hospital on Wednesday morning.

Three boys were kept for observation at the hospital overnight and four were discharged on night, said Netcare 911 group manager Mande Toubkin.

Mike Russell was leaving the school on Tuesday after his son’s cricket game was cancelled because of the storm, but was told by a security guard at the gate that there was an emergency. He rushed to the field and used CPR to resuscitate two boys who had gone into cardiac arrest.

“It’s basically a miracle to get two patients out of cardiac arrest using basic CPR,” said Russell, a trained paramedic and owner of Mibern Medi-Call, which provides medical support at big events.

He said in his 20 years in the medical support industry, he had never resuscitated a patient in cardiac arrest without using medical equipment such as defibrillators.

The lightning caught the pupils and parents by surprise when his 14-year-old son’s game was cancelled. “The storm came up really quickly,” said Russell. “When the second lightning bolt hit, we still had guys walking off the field.”

Professor Walter Kloeck, chairman of the Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa, said schools should make CPR part of the curriculum.

He speculated that the injuries were caused by a “rebound strike” - where the lightning hits the ground first and then bounces up and hits the person - because a direct strike is normally instantly fatal.

He said that if the boys had been in cardiac arrest they would probably have been clinically dead as there would have been no breathing and no pulse. There are about five minutes before the lack of oxygen causes permanent death, also known as brain stem death.

The lack of oxygen kills brain cells and destroys the brain stem, which controls vital functions such as breathing.

But properly administered CPR could buy the patient about three minutes more, which could save the person’s life, said Kloeck.

The rebound strike normally causes damage to tissue along the path it travels through the body, but leaves the rest of the body relatively intact.

“It normally enters through a finger and exits out of the other arm or a leg,” said Kloeck.

Russell said: “Fortunately we were able to get a pulse and spontaneous respiration back in a relatively short space of time.”

The Gauteng Department of Education said the boys were aged between 16 and 18 and played for the school’s first cricket team.

“While details are not clear, it appears they were pulling covers on the cricket field after practice when lightning struck,” spokesman Charles Phahlane said.

The two badly injured boys were also treated by first aid teams from the school and were about 40m apart when Russell arrived.

Teachers have to decide quickly about getting their sports players off fields when a storm is brewing on the Highveld. This can be a tough call in an area where storms are common, but not always necessarily dangerous.

Climatologist Simon Gear said this area had the highest incidence of strikes in the world in relation to land square metreage. “It sounds like the teachers did get the cricketers off the field… but if sport is stopped every time there are thunderclouds, there’d be no sport played in the country.”

“Lightning can strike far away from the rain shadow, making it virtually impossible to predict. So people should be aware of its potential danger and make a call which they believe to be appropriate.

“There are no warning signs and we don’t understand lightning well enough. Some private schools have warning systems, but they have been found not to be reliable.

“If they are set to go off at the furthest-away warning level, it could take hours before the lightning strikes, if at all.

“Or, if set too close, it could happen before players have time to leave their fields,” he said.

Gear describes lightning as a discharge of energy between the clouds and the ground, like a massive surge of electricity coming from both directions. The ground and the clouds develop different energy and charges and these are released during a strike.

The effects could be physical burns on the skin, or heart and brain failure. But, unlike electricity shocks, there are no electricity surges that continue running through the body.

Gear said not enough was known about the KES incident - such as whether the boys were standing together or on different parts of the field - to explain how the incident happened.

Lightning can strike at any time, even when it is not raining. It cannot be predicted and people should always take precautions when there are thunderclouds around, said South African Weather Bureau forecaster Elizabeth Webster.

“We cannot predict strikes and we have no records of them. The only time we hear about this is through the media. Lightning strikes are common in South Africa, but there is no way of forecasting them,” she said.

Phahlane said the department was providing support to the four girls from Protea Glen, all 16 years old, as well as the KES boys.

On Tuesda night the media were barred from speaking to parents by officials of Milpark Hospital and the school as the families were said to be traumatised.

Family members were seen hugging each other outside the hospital’s emergency ward and bringing each other coffee while they waited for news from the doctor.

The Star /IOL

Lightning yearly kills and maims many in South Africa

Image: Jaco van der Merwe - Lightning over Pretoria 

Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. But don't be fooled, lightning strikes year round. Lightning kills hundreds every year in South Africa. The goal of the SAWDOS is to educate and safeguard South Africans about/from lightning.

Those who are lucky and not killed by lightning are permanently injured each year. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and more. Lightning is a serious danger. Through several articles SAWDOS hope that many will learn more about lightning dangers and how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your belongings.

- SAWDOS

School takes to Twitter to prevent panic after 9 shoolboys were struck by lightning.

Johannesburg - King Edward VII School took to the social networking site, Twitter, on Tuesday to update parents after nine boys were struck by lightning.

Update 9 boys struck by lightning, 7 stable & 2 are under highcare. Full report to follow. Thank you for messages of support, the school wrote on its Twitter page.

A second update read: #KESBOARDINGPARENTS Please note all boarders are fine & safe. Only nine 1st Team cricketers affected. 7 are stable & 2 under high care.

The Gauteng education department said details about what had happened were not clear at this stage, but the boys were pulling covers onto the cricket field when lighting struck.

"The boys were taken to Milpark Hospital. Two are in ICU receiving high care," spokesperson Charles Phlalane said.

A security guard controlled entrance to the school on Tuesday evening, as parents went to fetch their children.

A school official, who did not want to be named said: "No comment at this stage from the school.

"Can all queries please be directed to the provincial education department."

Two Netcare 911 cars were seen leaving the school premises from the direction of the cricket field.

Schoolboys, dressed in cricket attire, were not speaking to anyone.

Phlalane said trauma counsellors would be sent to the school on Wednesday to speak to schoolchildren and teachers.


- SAPA/News24

Update: Nine schoolboys struck by lightning

Johannesburg - Four of the schoolboys struck by lightning on a cricket pitch in Johannesburg had been discharged from hospital by Tuesday night, paramedics said.

Two more boys remained in critical condition in Milpark Hospital and three others were stable, said Netcare 911 group manager Mande Toubkin.

“The two that are in a critical condition remain in ICU and the other three are in the trauma care (unit) under observation,” she said.

The nine boys, from King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, were struck by lightning while trying to pull covers over the cricket field, said Gauteng education department spokesperson Charles Pahlane. They were aged between 16 and 18.

At the school's premises, boys wearing cricket attire were not speaking to anyone. A school official directed all queries to the provincial education department and said the school had “no comment at this stage”.

However, it took to the social networking site, Twitter, to update parents.

“Update 9 boys struck by lightning, 7 stable and 2 are under high care. Full report to follow. Thank you for messages of support,” the school wrote on its Twitter page.

A second update read: “#KESBOARDINGPARENTS Please note all boarders are fine and safe. Only nine 1st Team cricketers affected. 7 are stable and 2 under high care.”

Pahlane said trauma counsellors would be sent to the school on Wednesday to speak to schoolchildren and teachers.

- Sapa/IOL

At least six children struck by lightning

JOHANNESBURG - A massive storm is brewing across Johannesburg this afternoon, as reports of flash floods stream in from some areas.

There has been much thunder and lightning across some parts of Gauteng and traffic has also been severely affected.

According to reports, six children were struck by lightning at a Johannesburg school this afternoon.

Details are still sketchy, but it is understood the pupils are from a school near the Johannesburg CBD.

Emergency service officials are at the school, but said they cannot confirm details around the lightning strike.

An Eyewitness News reporter is on the way to the scene.

This is a developing story, more details to follow.

- EWN

Lightning kills boy near Mthatha, Eastern Cape (11 February 2013)

A 17-year-old boy died and a 16-year-old girl was injured when lightning struck them at Msintsane, near Mthatha, Eastern Cape police said on Tuesday.

The teenagers were caught in a thunderstorm on their way home on Monday, Lt-Col Mzukisi Fatyela said.

"The boy died and the girl is in a critical condition in hospital. She suffered burn wounds."

- SAPA

Intense thunderstorms active in parts of Kwazulu Natal since early this morning. (10 February 2013)

Image: Joslyn Walker (Click on image for larger view.)

Areas in Kwazulu Natal experience intense thunderstorms since 03h00 this morning.  The following reports were received via Twitter and Facebook.

AwsumKath @SAWDOS1 @SAWeatherServic WOW a storm that's lasted 4 hours how bizaar Queensburgh,Durban Loving the rain though. All quiet now. 9 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

DavePugheParry @SAWDOS1 The skies above Bothas Hill must have a Thor tummy, it's been thundering for about 4 hours now. Donder & bliksems... 12 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

ShelliLawson @SAWDOS1 storm seems to have abated in Gillitts. The most intense 5 hours I have ever experienced! Can still hear thunder but far away! 12 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RheaMorar @SAWDOS1 still raining & thunder in Chatsworth, South of Durban. 15 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

edeni @SAWDOS1 Fog horns still sounding in Cape Town. Have been at it since late last night. 17 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Close up satellite image of the storm in the Durban area. Not very focused. - SAT24 pic.twitter.com/nGCg1Iwp 16 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Grayam32bn @SAWDOS1 Umkomaas 0821 it's raining hard now no wind thunder still rumbling in the west 21 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

kennykzn @Grayam32bn @SAWDOS1 Dark and pouring with heavy lightning here in Doonside 23 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

collbowie Very overcast heavy skies, no thunder, rain looks imminent #Centurion #reeds @SAWDOS1 26 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 @KwamboCari @joswalker Absolutely great image!!! Thanks for posting - SAWDOS 24 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

KwamboCari @SAWDOS1 ... “@joswalker: We have angered the gods.... pic.twitter.com/8OgwSuXN” 36 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Grayam32bn @SAWDOS1 Umkomaas 0757 we have a storm moving in from the west no wind or rain yet only thunder so far 44 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Dalegrobler @SAWDOS1 It's getting ugly over Durban. Loads of thunder hardly any rain yet. Awesome clouds. pic.twitter.com/IKUpco9x 47 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

mesterinsa Thunderbolts and lightning, very very frightening since 3, get the buckets, upper Highway- *the original words* @SAWDOS1 48 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

trishpp @SAWDOS1 #BothaHill 4hr #storm tantrum seems to be finally giving up. Just the hiccupping aftermath with an occasonal door slamming crash. 49 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

pilotsimon208 @SAWDOS1 slowly moving out to see over Durban pic.twitter.com/51SJmhkI 49 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MandySingleton @SAWDOS1 this is crazy, thunder and lightning non stop since 4:00am in Durban, South Coast.. Not a breathe of wind so its lingering! 49 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

BevWilson7 @SAWDOS1 @pigspotkzn Weather is good in Howick, close to Midmar 51 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

M_Fahim_Rashid @SAWDOS1 Durban, 7:45-after 4 and a half hours of intesnse foreplay.The storm finally climaxes with a heavy downpour.longest electric storm 53 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Over45AnVibrant @SAWDOS1 storm has passed Hillcrest 54 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Clint_ZA @JennzaLynn That deep rumbling thunder is coming from Pinetown direction. Still pouring here with intense thunder and lightning cc @SAWDOS1 55 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Mandywilson_SA @SAWDOS1 very dark with almost constant rolling thunder #glenwood durban 57 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Just look at that beautiful thunderstorm cell currenly active in the Durban area. - SAT24 pic.twitter.com/8Y5GnhRN 54 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

bflyhoe @SAWDOS1 longest electrical storm I have ever experienced-but love it (northdene) 57 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Dalegrobler Its dark out there on roads, plz light up them cars when driving guys. Check you following distance. @TheMercurySA @TheBallito @SAWDOS1 about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Assagay 07h40: Thunder still very active but rain has subsided - Dee de Souza about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Dalegrobler Loads of thunder around Durban no rain as yet @SAWDOS1 about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

HRHLadybubbles @Plettbird @SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton that is lovely. We were always told God is angry when it thunders. God clapping much more positive. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Ryan Nortier - A series of intense electrical storms over Eston, KZN at the moment, coming in from the west, heading SE about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

DylanBrassel @SAWDOS1 Storm has been raging over Pinetown for 3.5 hours! Heavy rain now with big thunder. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

JennzaLynn @SAWDOS1 had quite a hectic storm in Pmb early this morning with heavy rain. There's still some deep thunder rumbling in the distance about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 @pilotsimon208 Thanks. Further thunderstorms still possible in and around Durban this morning. Stay alert and stay safe. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

LisetteRM @faye23580 @SAWDOS1 thunder is awesome, I agree. Wonder when rain is gonna come. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 RT @Over45AnVibrant: raining us letting up in Hillcrest and thunder and lightning as well about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

pilotsimon208 @SAWDOS1 radar image over Durban heading towards the city pic.twitter.com/1Jy1oA1C about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Plettbird @SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton my 15 month old joins in and claps her hands each time we hear thunder :) about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

USGSted Powerful earthquake, SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS, Feb-9 21:02 UTC, 0 #quake tweets/min, on.doi.gov/TZuP78 9 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Plettbird @SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton when thunder starts I tell my girls that God's clapping as He's so happy & it's time to go inside or we'll get wet! about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

4jel @SAWDOS1 severe thunderstorm in Waterfall since 3, no letting up, thunder and lightning, lights went out but back on about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MrDurbanite @SAWDOS1 A bit of a rumble in the distance over morningside Durban since 4am. Very overcast, have to put a light on to see indoors. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

tazzimore @SAWDOS1 hillcrest westriding rain is clearing but the thunder and lightning is still huge!!#stayinginbed about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 SA Weather Satellite Image: SAT24 06H45 SAST twitpic.com/c2de6e about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Satellite images of the intense thunderstorms in the Durban area - SAT24

SAWDOS1 Watch: Possible flash flooding in parts of Kwazulu Natal (Hillcrest/Assagay/Durban and surrounding areas) this mornings. - SAWDOS about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Just_Gail_ @SAWDOS1 massive storm rumbling in hillcrest since 3am -not letting off. Power failure as well about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Very intense thunderstorm with very heavy rain. 7 AM.Unusual for this time of day. Has potential of flash flooding. Assagay - Dee de Sousa about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Any heavy rain around or storm damage? about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

ShelliLawson @SAWDOS1 the storm is still raging 4hrs later. Lightning overhead and not moving! Gillitts 7 am about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

vaun1 @SAWDOS1. Rain just started in Scottburgh!! about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 RT @ItsMarnus: So surfing is out? #Durban, 3:00- Very heavy thunder and lightning. In for a big storm. Maybe later today? about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton If it is really bad I suggest you seek professional help. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton Learn to live with it, respect it, move indoors be safety cautious. Not abnormal to fear thunder and lightning. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 @MandySingleton Fear for lightning and thunder - I was born in the EC close to tornado ally I sometimes fear severe thunderstorms. about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Nobodylikeme0 @SAWDOS1 Major thunder and lighting storm in Hillcrest since 3 this morning. Downpour just started still with crazy thunder Any warnings out about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

vaun1 @SAWDOS1 lots of rumbling over Scottburgh - no rain yet!! Hja d thunderstorm at 4am!! 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

justsittin_here @SAWDOS1 Hillcrest KZN: Huge electric storm & rain since 3am. Eases slightly, then BOOM! back again. Longest elec storm l've ever known. 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Dullsweather @SAWDOS1 After all that promise, no rain yesterday but rewarded with a beautiful sunrise this AM in Dullstroom. pic.twitter.com/HH9WofM3 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

M_Fahim_Rashid @SAWDOS1 Durban, 6:00- persistent thunder from 3:00 accompanied by light rain. 2 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

NixKZN1 @SAWDOS1 big lightning and rain Camperdown KZN 5h30 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Golfdizzy @SAWDOS1 big lightning and lots of rain being dumped in Pmb. Unusual for this time of the morning! 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MandySingleton @SAWDOS1 back to bed, its moved out to sea.. 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

faye23580 @SAWDOS1 Umkomaas - thunder rumbling, still dark, but not raining. Lovely to wake up to the sound of thunder. 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MandySingleton @SAWDOS1 @CraigPowell8 how does one get rid of an extreme fear of lightning & thunder? (had since the age of 2, extreme to put it lightly) 3 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MandySingleton @SAWDOS1 South Coast, Durban being woken up to a massive storm 4:36am 4 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

flamingo0926 @SAWDOS1 Beeeeg Thunder and Lightning in Kloof, Beeeg Dogs in Bed under covers like little babies, (shame bless the homeless pets) xx 5 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

MadhatterL @SAWDOS1 Rolling thunder, lightning and now here comes the rain in Pinetown 3:30am 5 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

bravedaveZA @SAWDOS1 HECTIC THUNDERSTORM now hitting Upper Highway Area DBN! 5 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

ShelliLawson @SAWDOS1 very bad lightning and thunder, heavy rain. Gillitts hillcrest 3am. 5 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

M_Fahim_Rashid @SAWDOS1 Durban, 3:00- Very heavy thunder and lightning. In for a big storm 5 hours ago · reply · retweet · favorite

SAWDOS1 Thunderstorm with heavy steady rain falling over Assagay pesently. Obs. Dee de Souza about 1 hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

Photos: Lightning Pretoria ( 28 January 2013)

- Jaco vd Merwe

Man struck by lightning in Kimberly (28 January 2013)

‏

A sixty-six-year-old man is in a critical condition after he was struck by lightning in Carstens Glen, Kimberly last night.

- Netcare911

Lightning kills three teens in Kwazulu Natal

KwaZulu-Natal - Three teenagers died when they were struck by lightning in KwaChezu, Nkandla, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on Wednesday evening, authorities said.

“Two of them aged 13 and 14 and from the Dlamini family, and one from the Zwane family, died instantly when they were struck by lightning while returning from a local tuck-shop,” provincial co-operative governance department spokesman Lennox Mabaso said.

It brought to more than 10 the number of people killed by lightning in the province in the past few weeks.

MEC Nomusa Dube, who would visit the teenagers' families soon, sent condolences to their families.

“These incidents are getting more severe and their frequency suggests that extreme and abnormal weather conditions caused by climate change have a lot to do with these tragedies,” she said.

- Sapa/IOL

Lightning kills mother and child in Kwazulu Natal

Plans are underway to install lightning-rods in the Nkanini area, near Eshowe, after a woman & her 11-month old baby died, when their home was struck by lightning on Christmas Day.

22-year-old Nqobile Gumede & her baby girl lost their lives in Tuesday afternoon's thunderstorm. They were in their rondawel when it caught alight, after being struck by a bolt of lightning.

Co-operative Governance MEC Nomusa Dube says they've a received reports that a number of homes were also damaged in the storm. Four people were injured.

'We are really saddened by this incident and because we are really helpless. This is a natural incident where we can't do anything but as the government we continue to have education campaigns to teach our people how to behave, what to do, in case of lightning and thunder storms in the various areas."'

- East Coast Radio News

SAWDOS Holiday Alert 2012 - 2013 - Thunder and Lighting active along the coast between Knysna and Humansdorp.

Holiday makers be aware of lightning tonight along coast stretching between George and Humansdorp.

Image: Area encircled in yellow thunderstorms and lightning are active along the coast.

When thunder roars go indoors. Do not swim when there's lightning or thunder around.

- SAWDOS

Thunderstorms/Lightning and possible heavy rain: North West and Free State Provinces (15 December 2012)

Image: Eumetsat (Click on image for larger view.)

Heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning possible this morning in the encircled areas.