The City of Cape Town reported that the number of calls related to tree incidents surpassed the total incidents addressed during the three-month winter period in 2023.
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The City of Cape Town received 108 calls over the weekend, compared to the 76 they received last winter.
The City Bowl, the Southern Suburbs and the Helderberg Basin, which includes Firgrove, Strand, Somerset West and Gordon’s Bay, generated the highest number of calls received by the Recreation and Parks Department.
Patricia van der Ross, mayoral committee member for community services and health, noted that although the current number of incidents is not as high as during the extreme weather event in September last year, when almost 150 incidents were recorded, the tree emergency teams have faced significant challenges during this period.
Van der Ross said, ‘They are working their way through 108 incidents, which is more than what was reported during the traditional winter period last year.’
‘The number of tree incidents is an indication of the severity of this frontal system and a key reminder of why our tree emergency teams are such a critical component. These men and women are out in the elements, to clear obstructions and make areas safe for the public. They have had an incredibly busy weekend and will continue working until all of the incidents have been cleared,’ van der Ross explained.
‘The teams are very experienced, as we have seen in seasons gone by, and while this weather episode has had devastating impacts, it has also presented an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for winter.’
She mentioned that the Recreation and Parks Department is tasked with the removal of trees from municipal roads and public open spaces.
The time needed to resolve an incident varies due to several factors. These factors include: mitigating the risk factors around public road safety, including major roads; the potential loss of lives and severe property damage; the size of the tree causing the obstruction and the level of effort and equipment required to remove it; the traffic volumes on the route; and whether it is safe for staff to conduct the work.
The City of Cape Town has encouraged residents to report any tree emergencies to its Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.
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Picture: @CityofCT / X