The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has urged the public to be cautious along coastlines as the spring tide caused some damage yesterday across a number of coastal communities in the Eastern, Southern and Western Cape, as a storm surge swept away cars and flooded nearby homes and businesses.
The Spring tide peaked on Friday night with the new moon and is expected to lift by Wednesday or Thursday.
Yesterday, videos and pictures flooded social media, showing massive storm waves lifting stationary vehicles in places like Gordon’s Bay, Stilbaai, Mossel Bay and Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town.
Also read: Footage: Rough waves hammer parts of the Cape
The NSRI says an elderly woman, aged 93 years old, unfortunately died in Wilderness at Leentjies-klip beach after a giant wave swept her off her feet. The wave had crashed onto the nearby parking area, also lifting cars up in the wash.
Another man also had to be rushed to hospital.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre was on site around the Gordon’s Bay coastal area to determine whether the damage and assessments are continuing today, reported SmileFM.
Initial assessments found damage to eight properties in the Gordon’s Bay Bikini Beach area while additional assessments found broken windows and damage to some seating areas of the Brass Bell restaurant in Kalk Bay.
One person sustained minor injuries and the restaurant is currently partially closed to the public, reported EWN.
The centre added that the City’s Department of Solid Waste began with clean-up operations along the beach today, while traffic services and law enforcement were assisting with road closures.
The warnings issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) have been limited to the southern parts of the province; however, NSRI and the City has cautioned residents in the metropole to be cautious and to steer clear of coastal, as a precaution.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said another spring tide is expected this afternoon.
‘It’s starting to rise already from 2, 3 on Sunday afternoon and peak between 4 and 5pm, also depending on where you are around the coastline. We are appealing to the public to monitor the SAWS alerts and be cautious. Don’t take unnecessary risks or put yourself in unnecessary danger.’
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Picture: Matt Paul Catalano / Unsplash