Johannesburg Storm Crushes Taxi Under Fallen Tree as Level 5 Alert Hits Gauteng
- A severe storm swept across Johannesburg, uprooting trees and causing widespread damage across the city
- The South African Weather Service issued an Orange Level 5 warning as multiple provinces faced flooding, hail and damaging winds
- Emergency crews were deployed across Gauteng as roads closed and key intersections became blocked
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A powerful storm tore through Johannesburg on 5 August 2026, leaving a trail of damage that caught many residents off guard so close to the start of spring. One of the most striking images to emerge from the chaos was a white minibus taxi in Langlaagte, completely crushed under the weight of a large uprooted tree. Fortunately, the taxi was empty at the time, and no injuries were reported.
The storm was driven by an upper cut-off low-pressure system, prompting the South African Weather Service (SAWS) to issue an Orange Level 5 warning for severe thunderstorms across the Northern Cape. Additional alerts were activated for Gauteng, the Free State, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, with residents warned to brace for flooding, hail, excessive lightning and strong winds.
Fallen trees block Johannesburg roads
The damage across Johannesburg was widespread. Fallen trees blocked key intersections in Cyrildene and obstructed M1 highway access ramps near Braamfontein and Houghton. A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) patrol vehicle was also damaged by fallen trees in Witpoortjie.
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In KwaZulu-Natal, the eThekwini Municipality placed its disaster management and rescue teams on standby as coastal and inland wind gusts reached up to 90 km/h, threatening informal settlements, power networks and local roads.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) deployed specialised water-rescue units across the city. Motorists were urged to maintain safe following distances, steer clear of low-lying bridges and avoid attempting to cross flooded or fast-flowing water.
The photos shared by the Facebook group Lenasians captured just how unexpected and severe the damage was for a city not yet at the peak of the rainy season.
Watch the storm damage photos that left Johannesburg residents stunned here:
More on SA's storm chaos
- Briefly News recently reported on Cape Town's brutal gale-force winds that knocked pedestrians clean off their feet, leaving them clinging to a tree trunk for safety.
- In another story, weather forecasters flagged a strong chance of thunderstorms disrupting the decisive Springboks vs All Blacks Test at FNB Stadium.
- Another Cape Town street video showed pedestrians battling to stay upright against the city's notorious winds.
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Source: Briefly News
