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What happened, where and when?
From the 2nd to the 3rd of June 2024, the regions of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal experienced severe natural weather hazards that left 46,565 people vulnerable. On the 2nd of June, intense oods impacted the Eastern Cape, while two tornadoes of varying intensities struck KwaZulu-Natal, causing extensive damage to homes, community and public infrastructures, and displacing at least 50% of the aected communities, all amid ongoing severe weather and the start of winter. In the early hours of the 2nd of June 2024, heavy rainfall impacted several areas in the Eastern Cape, including the Nelson Mandela, Sara Baartman, and Bualo City Metros. The torrential rain breached dam walls and overwhelmed canals, resulting in widespread ooding that inundated homes and businesses. As a result, more than 10,150 people, comprising of 2,030 households, were aected. Of these, 2,500 individuals were displaced, and seven lives were lost. Additionally, 10 people remained missing, while at least 50 were safely rescued. The severe weather caused signicant disruption and damage across the province, underscoring the urgent need for emergency response and relief eorts. Flash oods triggered by the heavy rains particularly impacted Nelson Mandela Bay and Bualo City Metropolitans, as well as parts of the Sara Baartman district. These ash oods devastated the aected areas, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. The deluge resulted in severe disruptions to daily life, with many communities struggling to cope in the aftermath. Emergency services and local authorities worked tirelessly to assist those aected and initiate the recovery process. On the 3rd of June 2024, two tornadoes struck the KwaZulu-Natal province, primarily aecting the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, with signicant damage in the Tongaat area where formal houses were destroyed. The tornadoes also partially impacted the uMkhanyakude, uMzinyathi, Ugu, King Hlatshwayo, and Amajuba districts. The destruction to households and infrastructure aected over 36,400 people and displaced more than 5,000. In total, 7,358 formal houses were completely destroyed in the Tongaat area within the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Three shelters were established, providing accommodation to 1,825 people. Many residents were reluctant to leave their tornado-damaged homes as they sought to protect their remaining belongings, by the 3rd of June, 14 people had lost their lives in KwaZulu-Natal due to the tornadoes that struck that afternoon.