Life-threatening flooding reported across 3 separate continents early this week
By
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Dec 9, 2019 3:31 PM EST
Dangerous levels of flooding swept through Centurion, South Africa, on Dec. 9, that swept cars away and left people stranded.
Severe weather struck several areas around the world from Sunday into Monday resulting in significant flash flooding in parts of South Africa, Lebanon and New Zealand.
Flash flooding and mudslides strike New Zealand's South Island
Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered New Zealand from Saturday into Sunday.
Nearly 1,000 tourists were stranded in the town of Franz Josef after flooding and landslides blocked all roadways into and out of the town, according to the Associated Press.
Some of those left stranded were rescued via helicopter while others may be trapped until Friday when roadways are expected to be repaired.
The weather improved on Monday and dry weather is forecast to prevail in Franz Josef into Thursday.
A period of steady rain is then possible Thursday night into Friday, but flooding is not expected during this time.
Centurion, South Africa, underwater following heavy rainfall
Locations around the capital city of Pretoria were inundated by heavy rain and thunderstorms from Sunday into Monday, leading to widespread flooding.
The hardest hit area was Centurion where roadways turned into raging rivers on Monday, according to The South African.
Traffic authorities warned against all non-essential travel on Monday due to the widespread flooding.
Despite no initial reports of fatalities due to the flooding, reports began to emerge of homes being swept away in the floodwaters around Mamelodi on Monday afternoon.
Additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible across the region through the day on Tuesday.
A period of drier weather is forecast from Wednesday into this weekend; however, a spotty shower or thunderstorm can't be ruled out on Thursday or Friday.
Powerful thunderstorms unleash flash flooding across Lebanon
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms battered Lebanon from Sunday night into Monday.
Heavy rainfall from the storms resulted in significant flooding and travel disruptions across the region.
The flooding inundated roadways and dozens of vehicles in the Beirut area, according to Naharnet.
The flooding affected roadways around Beirut's international airport and even leaked in parts of the building.
A refugee camp near Beirut was also affected by the heavy rainfall as floodwaters and sewage inundated parts of the camp.
Drier weather is forecast to return into Wednesday before the threat for downpours returns from Thursday into this weekend.
Report a Typo
News / Severe Weather
Life-threatening flooding reported across 3 separate continents early this week
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Dec 9, 2019 3:31 PM EST
Dangerous levels of flooding swept through Centurion, South Africa, on Dec. 9, that swept cars away and left people stranded.
Severe weather struck several areas around the world from Sunday into Monday resulting in significant flash flooding in parts of South Africa, Lebanon and New Zealand.
Flash flooding and mudslides strike New Zealand's South Island
Heavy rain and thunderstorms battered New Zealand from Saturday into Sunday.
Nearly 1,000 tourists were stranded in the town of Franz Josef after flooding and landslides blocked all roadways into and out of the town, according to the Associated Press.
Some of those left stranded were rescued via helicopter while others may be trapped until Friday when roadways are expected to be repaired.
The weather improved on Monday and dry weather is forecast to prevail in Franz Josef into Thursday.
A period of steady rain is then possible Thursday night into Friday, but flooding is not expected during this time.
Centurion, South Africa, underwater following heavy rainfall
Locations around the capital city of Pretoria were inundated by heavy rain and thunderstorms from Sunday into Monday, leading to widespread flooding.
The hardest hit area was Centurion where roadways turned into raging rivers on Monday, according to The South African.
Traffic authorities warned against all non-essential travel on Monday due to the widespread flooding.
Despite no initial reports of fatalities due to the flooding, reports began to emerge of homes being swept away in the floodwaters around Mamelodi on Monday afternoon.
Additional rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible across the region through the day on Tuesday.
A period of drier weather is forecast from Wednesday into this weekend; however, a spotty shower or thunderstorm can't be ruled out on Thursday or Friday.
Powerful thunderstorms unleash flash flooding across Lebanon
Multiple rounds of thunderstorms battered Lebanon from Sunday night into Monday.
Heavy rainfall from the storms resulted in significant flooding and travel disruptions across the region.
The flooding inundated roadways and dozens of vehicles in the Beirut area, according to Naharnet.
The flooding affected roadways around Beirut's international airport and even leaked in parts of the building.
A refugee camp near Beirut was also affected by the heavy rainfall as floodwaters and sewage inundated parts of the camp.
Drier weather is forecast to return into Wednesday before the threat for downpours returns from Thursday into this weekend.
Report a Typo