Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds Batter Eastern Cape as SAWS Issues Fresh Warnings

Severe weather continues to disrupt roads, damage infrastructure and threaten communities in the Eastern Cape on Monday 11 May 2026, with more rain and winds forecast for tomorrow.

City of Cape Town worker assisting passengers in a car stuck in the middle of water, in an underlying area
City of Cape Town worker assisting passengers in a car stuck in floodwater.
: City of Cape Town / X
  • Heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to affect the Eastern Cape on Monday 11 May 2026.
  • Multiple roads flooded and impassable in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas.
  • Schools closed in some districts due to flood risks and dangerous conditions.
  • SAWS warns of continued severe weather into Tuesday 12 May, including possible further flooding.

The Eastern Cape is experiencing significant disruption from heavy rainfall and strong winds, with the South African Weather Service maintaining active warnings for the province and parts of the Western and Northern Cape as a powerful cold front moves through the region.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds are causing widespread disruption across the Eastern Cape on Monday 11 May 2026. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has kept several warnings active as a strong cold front continues to move through the region.

In Nelson Mandela Bay, multiple major roads are flooded or impassable, forcing motorists to exercise extreme caution. The municipality has warned that water depth is often misleading and can hide debris or washed-away surfaces.

Current Conditions and Impact

Widespread flooding has affected roads including the M4, Addo Road, N2 near John Tallant Interchange, Redhouse Road, Veeplaas & Daku Roads, and several others in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. Schools have been closed in some districts due to safety concerns.

Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to avoid flooded roads and stay informed through official channels.

What to Expect Tomorrow (Tuesday 12 May)

The SAWS forecasts continued inclement weather into Tuesday, with the possibility of further heavy downpours and strong winds in parts of the Eastern Cape and adjacent provinces. The risk of localised flooding and hazardous road conditions remains high.

Motorists and residents are advised to plan journeys carefully and avoid unnecessary travel during peak weather periods.

Safety Advice

The municipality and SAWS urge the public to:

• Avoid driving through flooded roads

• Secure loose objects around homes

• Stay informed through official weather updates

Emergency services and humanitarian organisations remain on high alert to assist affected communities.

Report Topics

Eastern Cape weather
heavy rainfall Eastern Cape
strong winds South Africa
SAWS weather warnings
flooding Eastern Cape
Nelson Mandela Bay flooding
Cape Town severe weather
May 2026 cold front
severe thunderstorms Eastern Cape
disaster management Eastern Cape

“Stay
informed.
Stay
rooted.
Stay
ahead.”

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