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Rare Tornado in South Africa Caught on Video

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A rare tornado tore through South Africa. (Image credit: News24Video/YouTube.)

A rare tornado ripped through South Africa this past weekend. The twister was captured on video as it roared through the Nigel area of the town of Duduza, southeast of Johannesburg.

The textbook tornado looks similar to the twisters that hit the U.S. Tornado Alley in the United States during the spring tornado season. The South Africa tornado hit on Oct. 2 and was rated an F-2 on the Fujita Scale, according to a statement from the South African Weather Service. The tornado caused roofs to be ripped off houses and walls to be knocked down, according to the damage survey.

About 80 percent of the world's tornadoes hit the United States. A few significant tornadoes do strike each year at other tornado hot spots around the world, including South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil in the Southern Hemisphere. Just this summer, a powerful tornado hit Russia , killing one person and injuring 12.

The twister was the first to hit the Nigel area since one, also an F-2, touched down on Oct. 5, 1955, the weather agency said.

Another possible tornado struck earlier that day in the Ficksburg township. The two storms combined destroyed more than 1,000 homes, killing two people and injuring hundreds more, according to news reports.

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Live Science Staff
Live Science Staff
For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.