Stories of hope: EMS and communities support flood response as 40+ rescues unfold across the province

“When access is cut off due to flooding, you rely on your training, your team and your community to make sure no one is left without care, you make a plan.”

This was how Mrs Janine Ruiters‑Makier, EMS Ladismith Station Manager, described the moment when rising floodwaters cut off access to a pregnant patient due to give birth and community members in Calitzdorp and surrounding areas.

During the severe storm conditions that affected parts of the Garden Route and Central Karoo, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), healthcare teams and local community members, including Kannaland farmers, worked together under challenging circumstances to safely deliver a baby and support communities isolated by flooding.

In the aftermath of the floods, areas in Warmbad, Calitzdorp, were left completely cut off. Through coordinated efforts, 60 households received food supplies and blankets. “The reality is many people at that point may not have had the opportunity to buy food yet and local organisations made a plan,” Janine shared.

This response was made possible through collaboration between Western Cape Emergency Medical Services, Air Mercy Services (AMS), Garden Route Fire Services, Gift of the Givers, Provincial Traffic Services, Karoowater Guest Farm and local partners, who assisted with receiving and distributing supplies once access was possible.

The relief effort formed part of a broader response that began earlier that day, under urgent and restricted conditions.

A birth delivery guided across distance

On the afternoon of the incident, EMS were dispatched to a maternity case on a farm outside Calitzdorp. Floodwaters prevented ambulance access, while adverse weather conditions meant AMS could not respond by air.

On the ground, Calitzdorp EMS Shift Leader Mr Norman Swartz worked closely with Janine to assess access routes and coordinate the response. Their efforts were supported by local farmers, who were monitoring river levels and road conditions in the area.

“We knew there was flooding. We know the river and thought if we could just find a road to get through, or get a ladder from the local fire station, we could reach the mom and baby. But after assessing, we realised this would not be possible,” said Janine.

At the patient’s side was Mrs Cornelle Meiring, a local teacher from Calitzdorp, who stepped in to assist. Together, Janine and Norman made the decision to provide remote clinical support. Working with the local emergency control centre and healthcare colleagues, including the Oudtshoorn Hospital maternity unit, arrangements were made to support the patient as best as possible under the circumstances. The maternity team also made telephonic contact to check on the mother and offer additional support.

Janine guided Cornelle through preparing for the delivery, using available resources to ensure basic safety measures. ‘We asked her to get the supplies needed. If there were gloves, scissors and some other supplies, we asked her to get them ready.”

As labour progressed, a video call was made to guide the process. At approximately 17:15, the patient went into active labour. With calm, step-by-step support, the baby was successfully delivered.

“When I saw the baby for the first time, I was so grateful. I could see the pink cheeks and that the baby was okay. We asked them to check the fingers and toes to make sure everything was fine,” Janine said.

She remained in contact to monitor both mother and baby until further assistance could be arranged.

A shared effort, rooted in community

Once weather conditions improved, AMS airlifted the mother and baby for further care. EMS teams, including Norman and on-duty staff, then supported the coordination and loading of food parcels for distribution to affected households.

Janine emphasised that the response was a collective effort: “In rural areas, you help each other. Because we know each other, everyone comes together and does their part,” she said.

She highlighted the role of local farmers, including farmers from Kannaland, and community members, who provide early warnings and critical local knowledge. “They tell us when the rivers are coming down and when flooding starts. They help us stay aware of what is happening on the ground.”

Expressing her appreciation, she added: “To the community of Calitzdorp, the farmers in Kannaland and beyond, and all the EMS staff and local municipality, I can only thank them. I can only be the manager I am because of them, they are my hands and my eyes.”

Provincial EMS Manager, Mrs Shameem Modack‑Robertson, commended the collective response: “This incident demonstrates the extraordinary resilience of both our EMS teams and the communities we serve. When access was impossible and conditions were at their worst, our staff and community partners worked together to ensure a safe delivery and continued support to those cut off by the floods. We are incredibly proud of Mrs Ruiters‑Makier, Mr Swartz, Mrs Meiring, and all partners involved.”

Mr Craig Wylie, Western Cape EMS Director added, “In total, we, alongside our partners, were involved in more than 40 rescues affecting the lives and well-being of more than 650 people during the floods. This is in addition and above the day-to-day work that continued in the background. My personal thanks go out to everyone involved. I remain proud of our EMS team.”

From a delivery guided across distance to coordinated support reaching isolated households, this response reflects the strength of relationships between EMS, healthcare services and the communities they serve.

Editor’s note: Note: We request privacy for the mother and her baby, who has expressed appreciation for the care she received.

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Shimoney Regter
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Emergency Clinical Support Services 
Western Cape Department Health and Wellness
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Email: Shimoney.Regter@westerncape.gov.za