Electric Storm Hits Gauteng: Residents Share Their Experiences
- Residents in parts of Gauteng faced a powerful electric storm, leading to blackouts in several homes.
- Gauteng locals reported that their household appliances were affected by the storm, which began on February 9, 2025, and lasted for a few hours.
- Stormchaser Juandre Vorster spoke with Briefly News, offering insight into the causes of the electric storm.
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has spent seven years covering accidents, fires, outbreaks, weather phenomena, and natural disasters for Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
GAUTENG — Stormchaser Juandre Vorster is warning residents of Gauteng not to take selfies or photos during electric storms and to maintain a safe distance from them. This advice comes after an electric storm swept through parts of Gauteng on February 9, 2025. Social media users shared their experiences of the storm, describing how it disrupted daily life.
When the Skies Turned Dark: Electric Storm in Gauteng
Juandre Vorster, a well-known stormchaser, captured stunning images of the weather event and shared them on his Facebook page, The Weather Hooligan. In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, Vorster explained his thoughts on the origins of the storm and how long it would last. The storm primarily affected areas like Centurion and Johannesburg, where it persisted for approximately two hours.
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Staying Safe During a Storm
According to Vorster, the storm was triggered by a combination of intense heat and high humidity levels, which generated significant static in the atmosphere. He strongly advised people to steer clear of windows and avoid standing under trees during such events. Vorster emphasized the importance of safety, especially when lightning is present.
"If you're caught outside during a lightning storm, the safest place to be is inside your car. Stay calm and avoid sudden movements," he cautioned.
Recent Weather Events Across South Africa
- The South African Weather Service issued warnings about a developing tropical storm off the coast of Madagascar, but fortunately, it veered away from South Africa's danger zone.
- A tornado touched down in a village in the Eastern Cape, sparking widespread attention online as videos of the rare event went viral.
Voices from the Storm: Netizens Speak Out
On social media platforms like Facebook, residents of Gauteng expressed their firsthand experiences with the storm.
Melody Nandalall recounted her harrowing ordeal:
"Our power went out in the area, likely because of the storm. Earlier, lightning struck my home, producing a loud crackling sound. Unfortunately, my TV seems to have taken the brunt of the damage."
Sbutubutu MaDlamini ESwatini summed up the chaos:
"Boom, the electricity went off."
Susan Saayman provided a timeline of the storm:
"It started at 17:00 this afternoon in Ortia, and it only quieted down just now."
Annie Laughton described the intensity of the storm:
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"We had a massive storm with thunder and lightning late this afternoon. The area experienced a power outage due to a lightning strike."
Madga Ludick gave an update on conditions in Randfontein:
"There's a big thunderstorm here right now. We're experiencing thunder, lightning, and heavy rain."
Thunderstorms Sweep Across South Africa
In a related report, Briefly News highlighted that parts of South Africa endured thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall. The South African Weather Service issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for several provinces, where localized flooding occurred due to the downpour. Many South Africans welcomed the rain after enduring prolonged periods of scorching heat.
This storm serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of staying informed and prepared during extreme weather conditions.
