Weather in Cape Town is going out of control: 8 dead during worst winter storm in 30 years

Weather in Cape Town is going out of control.

The worst winter storm in 30 years is currently hitting South Africa’s province of Western Cape and the Cape Town metropolitan area with powerful winds, huge waves and coastal flooding, frequent lightning, heavy rain and snow at higher elevations. It has already killed 8 people and we are not close to an end.

Wind gusts in excess of 80 km/h (50 mph) brought destruction across the region. Around 700 structures in Cape Town have been affected by flooding. Thousands of people are now homeless.

The storm killed at least 8 people and injured many. A lightning killed a family of four ater striking their home in Kraaifontein:

This is the house in Kraaifontein where two adults and a set of 4-year old twins died in a fire allegedly caused by lightning. #CapeStorm pic.twitter.com/Yknh3QVnCT

— Percivale Young (@Percyoung) June 7, 2017

The worst storm to hit the region in 30 years brought Cape Town and neighboring cities to a standstill on Wednesday morning.

At the same time, a massive wildfire is spreading through Southern Cape, forcing evacuations and road closures. 3 people died in flames in their homes in Rheenendal, today.

The storm came amid the worst drought the region has seen in more than 100 years, but experts predict it will take at least 3 wet winters to replenish drinking water supplies.

Due to this severe weather anomaly, schools across the Western Cape have been closed today, and are expected to re-open tomorrow, June 8. Thanks to Susan Greef for the links and story idea.

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