Motorists have been cautioned to avoid some areas of Struisbaai due to the roads being flooded. Downpours in the Western Cape have caused localised flooding in several areas.
A severe storm is expected to hit Cape Town on Wednesday, 5 May and residents have been warned of high waves, strong winds and heavy downpours.
Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said evacuations are in progress and rescue teams have been deployed to the area to assist.
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“People being evacuated from their homes are being housed at the Struisbaai Caravan Park and Struisbaai Community Hall,” said Bredell. “The South African Weather Services has issued a further update to the earlier warnings and says significant rainfall can now be expected over the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands districts as well as Hessequa municipality from Wednesday evening and intermittently throughout Thursday.”
Cape Agulhas Municipality Joint Operational Centre (JOC) has also been activated for all disaster management matters and they are monitoring the flooding and assisting where possible.
Bredasdorp Road in Vissersdrift flooded earlier today, and has been closed to traffic. That didn’t stop three men aboard a small fishing vessel called Trompie who waded down the road effortlessly.
In true South African style, we never let anything get us down – road flooding, no problem, get out the row boat and let’s take it for a spin. You have to love their attitude.
If you don’t own a boat, best you stay out of the flooded areas.
The local municipality warned of heavy flooding in L’Agulhas, Struisbaai, and Struisbaai North.
“Rescue teams have been deployed to the area including the Disaster Management of the Overberg District Municipality. People are being evacuated from their homes and will be housed at the Struisbaai Caravan Park, Struisbaai Community Hall, and other places of accommodation. We are monitoring and assessing other areas and will keep you informed should the situation change,” said Cape Agulhas Municipality.
The SAWS predicted rainfall from 40-60mm reaching up to 80-100mm in the mountainous areas, as well as thunderstorms and a small chance of hail.
The provincial emergency number is 112. Additional regional numbers for reporting emergencies in the Western Cape:
City of Cape Town – 107 or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357 Overberg – 028 425 1690 West Coast – 022 433 8700 Garden Route – 044 805 5071 Central Karoo – 023 449 8000 Cape Winelands – 021 886 9244 / 021 887 4446
If you have any queries please contact JOC at 028 425 5600.
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