6 Things you should keep during a severe weather warning

Updated May 11, 2026, 4:29 p.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

Here's how KwaZulu-Natal residents can prepare for severe weather.

Storm warning sign over stormy sky — File photo/ iStock

Several parts of South Africa are currently experiencing heavy rainfall.

Videos and pictures shared online show significant flood damage across the Western Cape, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, and North West.

Heavy rain is not uncommon in South Africa, especially during the rainy season, which is why, as a KwaZulu-Natal resident, you should do your best to be prepared.

Here are six things you should try to keep during a severe weather warning

READ: Government warns against living in flood-prone areas amid disaster crisis

Road are flooding around Cape Town, trees are falling.... pic.twitter.com/IwdGKHA7JC
— muTsonga 🇿🇦 (@nhlalalaricos) May 11, 2026

Bottled water

Heavy rainfall and flooding can disrupt water services. Damaged infrastructure and burst pipes can temporarily cut off access for hours or days. Drinking water can also become contaminated during a flood when sewage and other waste enter the system. Having access to bottled water will help you stay hydrated, prepare food or brush your teeth. You can boil tap water, but power during severe weather is not guaranteed.

2. Power banks

Speaking of power. If your area experiences a power outage, it is important that you still have a way to communicate with people. A power bank will come in handy if your phone runs out of battery. If you still have access to WiFi, stay up to date with the latest news by following your local municipality or disaster management team's social media pages. You can also listen to your favourite radio station (hint, hint East Coast Radio) for updates.

It's also a good idea to keep a portable radio with batteries.

Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android)

3. Candles

Power outages are common during storms, and if you don't have access to a light source at night it could cause panic or make it difficult to do simple tasks. Candles are an affordable option but rechargeable LED lamps are a powerful source of light. They also provide hours of light per single use. Make sure they are always charged.

Don't forget to keep a few waterproof torches, preferably more than one.

4. Non-perishable food

You will likely have to remain indoors until the weather clears. Going outside during a flood or severe weather is risky. Roads might be flooded or blocked, which means you might not get very far. Keeping food that does not perish easily and is easy to prepare will save you a lot of headaches. Canned food are popular options, because they last long. There are lots of other options to consider.

Oats, cereal
Powdered milk and/or long-life milk
Peanut butter
Dried fruit, nuts and trail mix
Protein bars or muesli/granola bars
Rice cakes and crackers
Coffee and tea to keep warm

Don't forget about pet food and baby food when thinking about what food to prepare.

5. Emergency numbers

It is important to have your local emergency numbers on hand. Don't just keep them saved on your phone, because you might run out of battery. Write down all the necessary numbers on a piece of paper and keep them in a sealable plastic bag or even a plastic container. Make sure every member of your family knows where to find the numbers.

6. Important documents

In some cases, you might have to leave your home in a hurry. The last thing you want to do is search high and low for important documents in an emergency situation. Some of the documents you should keep include: