Over 3000 people were left homeless and more than 20 injured when what is a suspected tornado ripped through the small KZN town of Donnybrook on Friday the 6th November 2009. Severe thunderstorms began forming on Friday where an isolated supercell thunderstorm dropped a tornado on the town. Reports from the area say the houses were completely flattened and electricity knocked out. Usually high wind situations in the northern parts of South Africa are due to squall lines, but the isolated area of wind damage points to an indication of a more likely tornado.

The incident took place in an area where tornadoes are a more common occurance than elsewhere in South Africa, but yet still a very rare occurance. Unfortunately South Africa does not have any tornado warnings in place and currently do not have the radar equipment necessary for the prediction of tornadoes, though this may change soon as there are reports of doppler radar being installed. Let's remember that it is only the beginning of the severe thunderstorm season in South Africa and more of these events are very possible over the next 3 months.