Update:
Large amounts of rainfall have been recorded amid recent rains that have flooded several parts of the Western Cape over the past couple of days.
Also read: Footage: Rescue teams wade through water to assist stranded animals
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a level nine warning for disruptive rain across Cape Town, parts of the Overberg and the Cape Winelands on Sunday, warning that widespread flooding, severe thunderstorms, gale-force winds and rough seas could accompany the inclement weather.
On Sunday, a whopping 299mm of rainfall was recorded in Franschhoek, News24 reports. SAWS spokesperson Robin-Lee Batties says it is the highest figure recorded on Sunday.
The SAWS also released the amounts for other areas:
- Villiersdorp: 141mm on Sunday
- Jonkershoek: 139mm on Sunday and 61mm on Monday
- The Moravian mission of Elim near Bredasdorp: 129mm on Sunday and 21mm on Monday
- The Tygerhoek station in the Overberg: 96mm on Sunday and 18mm on Monday
- The Molteno Reservoir station: 126mm on Sunday and 16mm on Monday
- The station at the Bellville golf course: 84mm on Sunday and 7mm on Monday
- The station at the Cape Town Royal Yacht Club: 92mm on Sunday and 17mm on Monday
- Kirstenbosch: 93mm on Sunday and 9mm on Monday
Flooding has caused severe damage in several areas over the long weekend. According to early estimates, more than 1 000 homes were affected.
Boer Soek ‘n Vrou presenter Marciel Hopkins and her husband Handrè Lourens were among those who had to evacuate in Franschhoek. The couple was staying at the MontMartre estate next to the Franschoek Pass when a massive mudslide engulfed their chalet and the MontMartre wedding venue, News24 reports.
Hopkins says they had to escape over the balcony with their bags just before 6am ‘when we had to evacuate our accommodation in Franschhoek when the water and mud started flowing through our little homes. The owner informed us that a mudslide is going through the chalets.’
‘We had to climb over the balcony with bags in PT shorts since the front doors were shut from mud. Not how you plan on starting your public holiday. My heart breaks for people whose homes and businesses have been totally flooded and destroyed by water coming from the river mountains.’
Afterwards, she shared photos of their chalet and the venue on her Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
‘My heart is so unbelievably broken for the owners. The Robertsvlei Road is now open to drive in and out of Franschhoek, but the main road is still closed and flooded. Just last night, it rained 100mm and doesn’t stop.’
‘Every road in Franschhoek has been flooded, so nobody can get in or out of the town – everyone’s stuck! We’re drinking coffee barefoot at the cooperation and praying hard that the rain subsides and that those in dire need will find safety!’
As the clean-up process following yesterday’s storm continues, motorists can expect significant delays and detours today, with several major routes currently closed.
Also read: The Western Cape storm in pictures
Posting on Facebook, Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said that the city was working closely with the relevant external agencies to address the incidents reported over the last two days, which have also resulted in multiple deaths and many people being forced out of their homes.
‘The Disaster Operations Centre has had confirmation of eight fatalities caused by electrocution four people died in the Covid-19 informal settlement in Driftsands, as well as four children in the Klipfontein area.’
According to Smith, emergency services assisted six children trapped in three different houses in Strand and evacuated them to Strand Fire Station.
Residents were also evacuated from a retirement village in Somerset West, and 170 people were evacuated to a hall in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.
Emergency teams assisted with evacuations from Faure and Sandvlei in Macassar. Residents indicated that they would seek shelter with friends and family.
A group of people were reported trapped at the Kogel Bay Resort as a result of roads being closed on both sides leading to Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els. The Provincial Disaster Risk Management Centre assisted the City in rescue efforts.
To date, the DRMC can confirm flooding in the scores of formal and informal settlements.
‘Assessments so far indicate that just under a thousand structures have been impacted,’ said Smith.
‘Sand and milling has already started being distributed to assist affected communities, while a number of humanitarian relief agencies are assisting with meals, blankets and other supplies like baby packs.’
With dam levels currently at 100 percent, sluice gates were opened at Wemmershoek to mitigate downstream flooding, but the opening of gates has been downgraded to stage 3.
The Lourens River and Eerste River have burst their banks.
Commuters in Cape Town were greeted with major congestion this morning, and many returning from their Heritage Day long weekend were stalled and forced to take alternate roads.
On the N1, the road between Touws River and Worcester was still closed as of 8:30am, as was the N2 from Botrivier and Caledon.
The N12 via Meiringpoort was also inaccessible to motorists.
Rail services also experienced disruptions after railway lines were flooded.
The R44 Clarence Drive and Chapman’s Peak have also been closed until further notice due to storm damage.
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde will provide an update on the Western Cape Government’s disaster management efforts following devastating storms later today.
He will be joined by the Western Cape minister of local government, environmental affairs, and development planning, Anton Bredell, along with the acting head of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre. Representatives from the provincial Departments of Education, Health and Wellness, Infrastructure and Mobility will also be in attendance to give updates on the impact on critical services.
The full list of road closures is available here.
Also read:
Cape storm update: Community halls open for those affected by weather
Picture: JP Smith / Facebook