The South African government declared a national disaster after extreme weather events displaced thousands of people and caused widespread damage in the Eastern Cape [1], [5].
The crisis highlights the region's vulnerability to volatile weather patterns, as the province faced a rapid succession of wildfires and severe flooding within a few months.
Recent incidents reported on May 9 and 10, 2026, involved intense low-pressure systems that brought hail, snow, and strong winds to the Garden Route [2], [5]. These systems followed a period of unseasonably dry and windy conditions that ignited several wildfires [1], [3]. The affected areas include the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, as well as the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities [2], [4].
Two people died as a result of the storms [4]. The weather disrupted essential services and education, leading to the closure of 125 schools [4].
Local authorities and the South African Weather Service monitored the heavy rainfall, which caused significant infrastructure damage. Lehlohonolo Thobela of ENCA said the conditions were "disruptive rain that will result in measured amounts of between 100 and 200 mm of water depth, which may lead to localised to widespread flooding" [3].
Actual rainfall depths reached between 100 and 200 mm in some areas [3]. The combination of saturated soil from the rain and the previous dry spells increased the risk of landslides and further flooding [2], [3].
Emergency response teams have worked to assist the thousands of displaced residents [1]. The national disaster declaration allows the government to mobilize additional resources and funding to repair damaged infrastructure, and provide relief to affected communities [5].
“Two people died as a result of the storms.”
The transition from extreme drought and fire to heavy flooding within a short window suggests an increase in weather volatility in the Eastern Cape. By declaring a national disaster, the South African government acknowledges that local municipal resources in areas like Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay are insufficient to handle the scale of infrastructure collapse and human displacement caused by these intersecting climate extremes.
