The NSRI responded to numerous calls for help over this past long weekend as the Western Cape was battered by unprecedented rainfall, assisting in the evacuation of residents from Strand and Gordon’s Bay, Hermanus, Stanford and Macassar.
Heavy rainfall overwhelmed many towns on Sunday evening into Monday, with the full scale of the damage and number of casualties still unknown.
At least 11 deaths are being linked to the floods, including 8 people in the Metro who were sadly electrocuted after live wires (thought to be illegal electricity connections) touched flood waters and killed those who touched it.
ALSO READ: 8 electrocuted to death amid deadly Cape storm
NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers, GB Med Sec ambulance services and Police responded to Kays Caravan Park in Strand early on Monday morning where multiple residents were evacuated from the caravan park.
Some residents were transported to hospital suffering medical complaints not related to the weather.
At the same NSRI Gordons Bay were alerted by Cape Town Fire Control to evacuations of residents and commuters at Croyden Railway station, Somerset West, by Fire and Rescue Services officers and Fire rescue divers and there were no injuries.
In a combined operation NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers joined other agencies to evacuate residents in areas around Strand and Gordons Bay where homes were affected by flooding.
At the same time, NSRI Hermanus and NSRI Kleinmond mobilised resources to join Traffic Services, SA Police Services, Community Policing Forum, Disaster Risk Management, the Mayors offices, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, Community and Neighbourhood groups and Municipal authorities to evacuate residents in areas around the Klein River, Stanford and parts of Hermanus.
In Stanford at least 46 residents – including adults, the elderly and children, a parrot and domestic animals, were safely evacuated from houses and buildings affected by the Klein River that burst her banks during heavy downpours Sunday evening and into Monday.
Shelter, medications, supplies and some hospitalisations were carried out during Monday that saw all affected safely relocated to shelters and safe areas.
After departing the scene late on Monday NSRI Hermanus returned to Stanford to evacuate a further 2 households that were affected by flooding during the day.
NSRI Kleinmond also attempted to reach Caledon where flooding occurred but were unable to reach Caledon after encountering numerous roadways and passes cut off by flooding, but we are aware that other agencies were on site to help residents in areas in and around Caledon.
2 NSRI JetRibs and NSRI Jet-Ski’s, NSRI Crocs and NSRI rescue swimmers were used at Stanford making it possible for residents and animals to be safely transferred across flood water ways.
On Monday afternoon, NSRI Strandfontein were activated by City of Cape Town (CoCT) Law Enforcement to join multiple authorities to evacuate residents in areas of Macassar where flooding was extensive.
A total 71 residents, including adults, the elderly and children, 2 pregnant females (1 was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition), and domestic animals were safely evacuated.
NSRI rescue swimmers, NSRI rescue craft (a JetRib and NSRI Crocs) and additional Fire and Rescue officers, Law Enforcement Marine Unit, assisted affected persons and animals to cross flood water ways to safety.
56 people and domestic animals were sheltered at Macassar Community Centre.
Dr. Cleeve Robertson, NSRI CEO, said that it is heartwarming to see everyone pull together during this trying time and to successfully avoid fatalities, injuries and casualties.
