Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms have caused significant flooding in Parys, Free State, with several homes reportedly submerged and trees uprooted.

The Weather Service had issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms over parts of the Free State, cautioning of localised flooding and damage to property and settlements.

The warning also highlighted possible disruptions to electricity supply and communications.

Residents describe the storm as one of the worst they have experienced in years, saying the heavy downpours and strong winds caused damage within a short space of time.

One of the residents says, “It started raining and the wind was very strong, severe thunderstorms, like nothing I’ve ever seen in the last 10 years maybe.”

Weather forecast for today & tomorrow: 14-15 November 2026. Partly cloudy & warm to hot conditions are expected, with isolated to scattered thunderstorms possible over eastern parts of the country, and widespread over KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. #saws #weatheroutlook https://t.co/EfSz7MF4cc

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) November 14, 2026

-By Culvin Mabasa