Severe weather: alerts, safety and what you should do now
Severe weather can hit fast — heavy rains, flash floods, cyclones, extreme heat or violent storms. This tag gathers the latest alerts, local updates and clear safety steps you can take right away. We give simple, practical advice so you can protect your family, home and community.
Before a storm: quick checklist
Prepare early. Charge phones and power banks. Keep a small emergency kit with water (3 litres per person for 72 hours), non-perishable food, a torch, batteries, basic first-aid items, and important documents in a waterproof bag. Fill car fuel and have cash on hand — ATMs may be down.
Secure loose items outside: move furniture, bins and tools inside or tie them down. Trim tree branches that could fall on roofs or wires. Clear drains and gutters to reduce flood risk around your home. If you have livestock or crops, move animals to higher ground and raise sacks or produce off the floor.
Know your escape route and nearest shelter. Agree on a meeting spot with family and share one contact person outside your area in case networks fail. Sign up for local meteorological alerts — examples: SAWS in South Africa, NIMET in Nigeria, Kenya Meteorological Department and Ghana Meteorological Agency — and follow Africa Daily Dispatch for live updates.
During and after severe weather: stay safe and act smart
During storms or floods, stay indoors and off high ground if there’s risk of flash floods. If flooding starts, move to the highest safe level inside your home. Never walk, swim or drive through moving water — 30 cm of moving water can knock an adult over; 60 cm can carry a car away.
Lightning safety: stay away from windows and doors, avoid metal objects and plumbing, and do not use wired electrical appliances. If you are outdoors and can’t get inside, avoid isolated trees and open fields; crouch low but do not lie flat.
Heatwaves need different steps: drink water regularly, avoid heavy outdoor work during midday, wear light clothing and rest in shaded or cooled spaces. Check on elderly neighbours and children — they are most at risk from heat-related illness.
After the event, watch for hazards like downed power lines, unstable buildings, and contaminated water. Take photos of damage for insurance claims, and only return home when authorities say it’s safe. Boil water or use purification tablets if water quality is uncertain.
Africa Daily Dispatch posts real-time alerts and clear local guidance. You can send photos or eyewitness reports to our newsroom — citizen reports help us verify events faster and warn others. Follow our social channels, enable push notifications, and rely on official local agencies for evacuation orders.
Want quick safety tips for a specific place? Search this tag for recent stories and local warnings. Stay alert, act early, and check our coverage whenever severe weather threatens your area.
Severe Weather Forces Mass Flight Cancellations at Barcelona Airport
A recent storm hit Barcelona, causing significant disruptions at El Prat airport with at least 50 flights being cancelled or delayed. The severe weather comes just days after deadly floods hit Valencia, claiming over 200 lives. Furthermore, flights were rerouted, and public transportation was affected, highlighting the widespread impact of the storm.