Update:
More footage of massive waves wreaking havoc in the coastlines of the Southern, Eastern and Western Cape have surfaced on social media, showing the aftermath of spring high tide combining with a storm surge yesterday.
The waves caused severe damage to a number of establishments in Gordon’s Bay, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg along with other coastal parts of the country.
Cynthia Cruickshank shared footage of a wave flooding Lucky Fish & Chips in Kalk Bay to Severe Weather and Information Centre SA, a community group on Facebook.
Sue Adams said on Facebook: ‘This is just in my little area of Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. Other places had more severe damage’.
Initial assessments from the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre 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.
Picture: Cynthia Cruickshank / Severe Weather and Information Centre SA / Facebook
Update:
The National Sea Rescue Institute was informed of the freak wave at around 3:30pm. Pretoria FM reports that several beaches in George have also been closed due to the high tide.
In Kalk Bay, a wave broke through a window at The Brass Bell, a popular seafood restaurant:
Several cars have been swept into the ocean at Jongensfontein in Stilbaai.
Also read: SAWS predicts intense heat and flooding this summer as El Niño hits SA
About four cars were swept by rough waves today near the swimming hole, a popular swimming spot, in Jongensfontein near Stilbaai, as reported by Arrive Alive. Some residents have reported that the water reached the entrance of a nearby liquor store even before high tide hit.
The sea has been quite rough today along with strong winds:
In other areas, waves can be seen moving towards houses:
Cape Town – Gordon’s Bay: Freak waves around the Cape coastline pic.twitter.com/TEqZkvOfIn
— TrafficSA (@TrafficSA) September 16, 2023
Crazy footage from along the coast #CapeofStorms pic.twitter.com/qWykA3CUSD
— Zelda la Grange ©™✌ (@ZeldalaGrangeSA) September 16, 2023
Videos: Viral circulation, email [email protected] for credit.
Also read:
NSRI warns bathers of the dangers of today’s full moon spring tide
Picture: Hilda Rudd