Eskom has urged people across the Free State to remain on alert after a cut-off low-pressure system brought severe thunderstorms, heavy downpours, hail and excessive lightning to the province on 4 September 2026. The utility said the weather had already damaged power infrastructure and caused supply interruptions in several areas.
Damage to lines and ongoing outages
Since late on 3 September, Eskom reported multiple weather-related faults across the province. In the early hours of 4 September a 66kV breaker on the Melkspruit–Rouxville line tripped after what was described as severe damage to a wooden pole structure. The trip resulted in a loss of supply to Rouxville, Smithfield and Zastron; an estimated restoration time was not available at the time of the advisory.
Teams are working to restore supply, but Eskom warned that restoration can proceed only when it is safe to do so. Wet terrain and ongoing storms are limiting access to faults and placing additional pressure on available technical resources.
"Eskom advises customers in the Free State to remain alert as warnings for severe thunderstorms are in place across the province."
Where outages have been reported
The utility said a number of power lines have been impacted since the onset of the adverse weather. The most serious reported incident so far affected the Melkspruit–Rouxville 66kV line and led to outages in smaller towns in the southern part of the province.
| Area | Reported impact | Restoration status |
|---|---|---|
| Rouxville | Loss of supply after 66kV breaker trip | Unknown — crews assessing when safe |
| Smithfield | Loss of supply tied to Melkspruit–Rouxville fault | Unknown |
| Zastron | Loss of supply tied to Melkspruit–Rouxville fault | Unknown |
Public safety and how to report faults
Eskom stressed that fallen or damaged power lines and related electrical infrastructure may remain live and pose a serious danger. Members of the public should not attempt to touch, remove or approach damaged equipment. Instead, Eskom asked people to report faults and unsafe conditions through its official channels.
- MyEskom Customer App — available on Google Play and the Apple App Store
- Alfred the Chatbot — alfred.eskom.co.za/chatroom or via WhatsApp on 08600 37566
- USSD platform: *120*37566#
- Eskom Contact Centre: 08600 37566
Technical teams will prioritise restoration where it is safe and logistically feasible. Eskom warned that multiple simultaneous faults can stretch resources and extend repair times, particularly where roads and terrain become impassable after heavy rains.
How residents and businesses can prepare
With severe weather forecast to continue, households and small businesses in affected areas are advised to take simple precautions to reduce risk and disruption:
- Stay away from downed lines and report them immediately via the channels above.
- Keep torches and battery-powered lights accessible; avoid using candles near flammable goods.
- Unplug sensitive electrical equipment during storms to reduce the chance of damage from surges when supply is restored.
- Have a basic emergency kit with bottled water, medication and mobile phone powerbanks; keep phones charged where possible.
- Businesses that rely on refrigeration should monitor temperatures and arrange contingency plans for perishable stock if outages persist.
Local municipalities and emergency services usually coordinate where prolonged outages or weather-related damage require broader response. Residents are advised to follow local authority updates and weather warnings from the South African Weather Service.
As the situation develops, Eskom said it will continue to provide updates and restore supply when conditions permit. For now, the core message to Free State residents is to exercise caution around electrical infrastructure and use the official reporting channels if they encounter faults.
