The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an alert that adverse weather conditions, including thundershowers and further rainfall, may be expected to continue across large parts of the Western Cape until the weekend.

This as cleaning up operations have begun in the Western Cape town of George – as well as neighbouring towns such as Oudtshoorn, Bitou, Kannaland, Hessequa and Knysna – after it was hit by flash flooding yesterday (Monday, November 22)  which saw as much as 110mm of rain falling in a single hour.

This caused damage to homes, saw the closure of hospitals and clinics and traffic chaos amid road closures. Many people had to be evacuated to safety when their homes were flooded.

Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Anton Bredell, said in a statement  the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre was supporting the response to the ongoing storm, and the Garden Route JOC (Joint Operations Centre) was activated yesterday.

“Multiple reports of heavy flooding and some storm damage continues to be reported following heavy rainfall that is continuing in the region,” said Bredell.

He urged people in the area to limit travelling and being outdoors as much as possible.

Assistance provided

MD of Wild Wings Safaris, Onne Vegter – who is based in George – told Tourism Update that many living in the area had lost everything in the floods.

Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, has activated an emergency response to provide relief to victims of a flash flood in the Southern Cape and has been escorted into the flooded areas by the South African Police Service (SAPS) who have partnered with them to facilitate relief efforts.

Gift of the Givers’ founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said yesterday: “Trucks carrying maize, food parcels, mattresses, hygiene packs, new clothing, blankets, sanitary pads, diapers, bottled water, plastic sheeting and pet food will be arriving from Kimberley, Gqeberha, Graaff-Reinet and Cape Town.”