Accra Floods: Residents Loot Warehouse Goods Swept Into Streets as Capital Battles Severe Inundation

Parts of Accra descended into chaos on Monday morning after torrential rainfall triggered extensive flooding across the capital, submerging roads, stalling traffic, and sweeping goods from an unidentified warehouse onto the streets near the Tema Motorway. Rather than retreat from the rising waters, scores of residents seized the moment — turning the disaster scene into what many on social media described as an impromptu "shopping spree."

Videos circulating online showed crowds wading through floodwater and debris to collect provisions, toiletries, gas cylinders, and electrical gadgets that had been carried out of the warehouse by the rushing water. The identity of the warehouse owner has not been confirmed, and no official estimate of the losses has been released.

The flooding affected a wide swathe of the city, with some of the worst scenes recorded at the Tetteh Quashie Interchange, where the underpass was completely submerged and vehicles left stranded. Other hard-hit communities included Tse Addo, Alajo, Achimota, Dzorwulu, Tesano, Weija, Mallam, Spintex, Apenkwa, and sections around the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange.

Traffic along the N1 Highway, particularly the Accra–Kasoa corridor through Weija and Mallam, ground to a near standstill during the Monday morning rush hour as floodwaters crossed the carriageway. Homes and businesses along several of these corridors were also inundated.

The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has deployed emergency response teams to affected areas and is urging residents in low-lying and flood-prone communities to stay alert, steer clear of flooded roads, and relocate to safer ground if necessary. The Interior Minister separately called on Accra residents to work from home where possible as authorities manage the evolving situation.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency has cautioned that further rainfall is expected within the next 24 hours, raising fears of continued disruption. Southern Ghana has already suffered considerable flood damage over recent weeks as the rainy season intensifies.