Cyclone Roberta - FAKE

A public service announcement: the rumors and emails (example after the jump) doing the rounds that KwaZulu Natal is about to be hit by a "tempestuous cyclone" is fake, false, a hoax, bollocks, and completely made up. (There is a warning of heavy rainfall - "in excess of 50mm in 24 hours" - but there is no cyclone). Some observations: South Africa's east coast is very rarely hit by cyclones and email hoaxes are plentiful. Put these facts together, apply a bit of common sense, and you get doubt. And doubt should motivate some fact checking (Google is your friend)... If you did so, you'd find this East Coast Radio article saying it's fake, this cyclone tracking service showing no cyclones heading South Africa's way, and this blog entry by the SA Weather and Disaster Information Service saying it's a hoax.

Doubt will set you free.

The fake email:

HIGH IMPORTANCE

This is a blanket warning to all citizens of Kwazulu Natal and the South-Eastern coastal regions of South Africa.

A tempestuous cyclone (Roberta) was sighted just off the West coast of Madagascar at approximately 17h00, is moving Eastbound at a rate of 32 knots. When first observed, it was thought that Cyclone Roberta would dissipate once it met with the higher pressure cells towards the South-East. However, due to the unforeseen ebbing pressures we have seen off the Southern African coast since early this morning, the cyclone is unlikely to abate.

Please be forewarned that the Southern and South-Eastern regions of South Africa, particularly Kwazulu Natal, will in all probability experience the most violent winds and thunderstorms to date. It is strongly recommended that residents of Kwazulu Natal seek secure shelter. The cyclone is thought to hit our coast at approximately 15h30 today, 19th november We urge everyone to take every possible measure to seek secure refuge again this heavy weather pattern.