Update on impact of severe weather system in Western Cape

Joint Media Release: Update on impact of severe weather system in Western Cape

Premier Alan Winde and members of the Western Cape Government (WCG) Cabinet received an update this morning on the impact of the severe weather that affected large parts of the Western Cape over the past 72 hours.

“Conditions have stabilised in the western parts of the province but there is heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Garden Route district which we are monitoring very closely this morning,” the Premier said following a meeting of the Joint Operational Centre (JOC) this morning, which was activated at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) ahead of the intense cut-off low system. He added, “Our top priority remains protecting lives in areas which are now receiving high rainfall. In regions where the weather system has now passed, we will focus our efforts on mop up and humanitarian aid operations, with help from municipalities and NGOs.”

“Our disaster management focus today will be on the George and surrounding areas as the cut-off low system moves eastwards. George has measured more than 100mm of rain over the past 24 hours, and heavy downpours are expected to continue through the day,” Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said.

Dams in the Garden Route district are filling up rapidly or are already overflowing, especially dams on the coast in this region. Dam levels in parts of the Karoo are also rising. Authorities are constantly monitoring this situation.

The Minister continued, “Even though the heavy downpours are expected to taper off during the day, we are closely monitoring this situation, as it can contribute to flooding downstream. On our coastline, we are particularly concerned about estuaries at Mossel Bay and Wilderness. From the ocean side, there is a spring tide coinciding with storm surges due to the weather system. From the inland side, we are experiencing strong flowing rivers and overflowing dams. Taken together, these conditions are increasing the risks of flooding at estuaries, even if the river mouths are opened to the ocean.”

The South African Weather Services confirmed that a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain over the eastern parts of the province will remain in place for this morning. Rain can be expected to continue in the Garden Route District until Wednesday.

Roads

While a number of roads in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route Districts have been affected, the situation is fluid and rapidly changing. Road closures will be updated on our website. For an updated list of roads impacted please visit the Western Cape Government website. Authorities have been hard at work clearing roadways of debris. Provincial Traffic Services have been deployed in key areas to assist with traffic control measures.

Power outages

While power has been restored to some parts of the province the Premier remains deeply concerned over ongoing Eskom power outages elsewhere. He has urged Eskom to utilise all resources it has available to urgently restore electricity to all affected areas. “Last night I phoned the General Manager of the Eskom Coastal Cluster to offer any resources that they may need to respond to the outages, as I am deeply concerned that some Eskom customers have been without power since the beginning of this disruptive weather,” said Premier Winde.

Education

Schools in the Overberg and Cape Winelands education districts remain closed today, while schools in the Helderberg basin reopened. The Western Cape Department of Education will make a decision later today as to whether further closures will be needed in the coming days. 132 schools have reported damage, ranging from minor to significant, and these are currently being assessed and repaired

Infrastructure

Heavy rains and strong winds have wrought havoc across the Stellenbosch, Drakenstein Municipalities, as well as the West Coast and Cape Town metro, damaging homes and other structures.

Officials from the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure are still assessing the impact on housing. The Department is closely liaising with the national department of Human Settlements to have fire kits urgently delivered to informal settlements that have been ravaged by fires over the weekend.

Health

Healthcare facilities remain largely operational despite intermittent power outages at some sites.

Premier Winde concluded, “All our disaster management officials in affected regions have been working round the clock and will remain on high alert for as long as is necessary. We are managing this rapidly evolving situation as best we can. But it must be noted that all of our combined disaster management resources planned adequately ahead of this weather system. This has proved to be crucial as they have responded rapidly to all incidents, prioritsing protecting lives and property

To stay informed on the ongoing situation, kindly make use of the below communication resources:

Emergency numbers for the districts and City of Cape Town are as follows:

Cape Winelands:                               021-886-9244 / 021-8874446

Garden Route:                                   044 805 5071                                   

Central Karoo:                                    023-449-8000

West Coast:                                        022 433 8700                                    

Overberg:                                           028 4251690

City of Cape Town:                           107 landline or 021 480 7700    and   - 080-911-4357 (City of Cape Town Disaster Management Centre)

For information and latest updates about the impact of the storm on the Western Cape please:

• call the Western Cape Government’s call centre on 0860 142 142 (operational 24/7 till further notice)
• visit the Western Cape Government’s website: www.westerncape.gov.za
• visit the dedicated webpage: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/severe-weather-alerts-and-updates-7-april