Teams of
Gift of the Givers arrived in Struisbaai on Thursday 6 May to offer relief to
residents affected by flooding caused by heavy rains and a hail storm on
Wednesday.
The small
coastal town of Struisbaai was hit hardest when countless homes were flooded on
Wednesday after a hail storm and heavy rains fell. Photos and videos of
hailstones as big as golf balls and of a small boat transporting residents in
the streets of Struisbaai circulated on social media.
A statement
by Cape Agulhas Municipality reports that 37 people were evacuated from their
homes.
“People
have been evacuated from their homes and are housed at the Struisbaai Caravan
Park, Struisbaai Community Hall and other places of accommodation,” reads the
statement by Cape Agulhas Municipal Manager Eben Phillips.
Napier,
Elim and parts of Struisbaai North suffered power outages on Wednesday due to
the heavy storms.
A statement
by Overberg District Municipality reports that a primary school in Agulhas had
to be evacuated when water runoff from the mountain started flowing through the
school. The report further states that
rain tempos of 28 – 38 mm per hour were experienced in the region at times.
“The
storm-water system was overwhelmed and many houses had water through them. Cape
Agulhas Law Enforcement and Traffic as well as Overberg Fire Rescue teams were
deployed reacting to calls of entrapment and vehicles in the water and off the
roadways. The ODM roads department together with Provincial Traffic are
monitoring roadways and will close roads as required. So far, no main routes
have been closed,” reads the statement.
Hugo
Geldenhuys, spokesperson for the Theewaterskloof Municipality, reports that
Disaster Management teams are on high alert as more heavy rain is expected in
the early morning hours of Friday 7 May.
“Teams
worked throughout the night in the pouring rain to open stormwater systems that
overflowed due to the heavy rains experienced throughout Wednesday. Plans are
in place to house people at certain venues should they have to be evacuated.
The situation is being monitored closely,” Geldenhuys stated.
Jandré
Bakker, spokesperson of the Department Public Works and Transport, confirmed
that the only main route in the Overberg that has been closed, is the R319
between Bredasdorp and Swellendam.
“We expect
however that as the water collects, the low lying portions of the roads between
Bredasdorp, Struisbaai and Arniston could flood later today. These roads are
normally submerged for a very short while,” Bakker stated.
On Thursday
morning Stormsvlei Road between Bonnievale and Swellendam was still closed to
traffic.
“The N2
between Caledon and RIviersonderend has been reopened after it was closed
Wednesday night,” said Bakker.
Reports
were also received of two low-lying bridges between Tesselaarsdal and Caledon
and between Tesselaarsdal and Hermanus being submerged.
Rudi
Fraser, Overstrand Traffic Chief, confirmed that all roads in the Overstrand
are currently open. He added: “The R44- Clarence Drive was blocked by some
falling rocks but the road was reopened to traffic. Our traffic department will
continue to monitor all roads in the area.”
Overstrand
Disaster Management stated that they too will remain on high alert as rainy
conditions are expected to remain until Sunday.
Overstrand
Fire and Rescue Services chief Lester Smith added that all Overstrand Area
Managers have been requested to avail local community halls to accommodate
displaced persons should the need arise.
Overstrand
Municipality reports that operational teams were called in to assist the
community of Zwelihle after flooding was reported in Landa Street, Zwelihle. “A
sandbank also made it difficult for water to flow away from the houses and
therefor some of the houses in Landa Street were flooded. The fire department
assisting the community with the help of the operational team (community
services) by diverting the water flow with spades and the excavator loader. Law
enforcement and Traffic Services was also activated to assist. Teamwork ensures
that the problem was solved. Fire Services teams are also assisting at Transit
Camp with sandbags,” Smith stated.
Fire
Services also assisted by packing sandbags to divert water at a home in
Neethling Street, Kleinmond
Cape
Agulhas Municipality has created a Flood Disaster Relief Fund in aid of the
those effected by this disaster. Donations can be made to the Cape Agulhas
Municipality’s bank account. It will be managed by the Chief Financial Officer
Hannes van Biljon. Visit the Cape Agulhas Municipality Facebook page for the
banking details.
Individuals,
groups or organizations who wish to assist can also drop off non-perishable
food items at Meals on Wheels at 67A Hoof Weg, Struisbaai between 08:30 and
14:00.