Another storm system is on the way as the South African Weather Service issued a yellow level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms that could lead to localised flooding in the Central Karoo, Cape Winelands, West Coast, and the City from Sunday afternoon into Monday.
Strong to gale-force winds and very rough seas are also expected along the coastal areas, particularly along the Western Cape and Eastern Cape coast.
Anton Bredell, Western Cape MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre is ready to play a coordination role if needed this long weekend.
The following Impact Based Warnings for the Western Cape, valid for Sunday, 24 September to Monday, 25 September, are for damaging waves, damaging winds, and severe thunderstorms:
- Damaging Waves are predicted between Cape Agulhas and Plettenberg Bay, and disruption at ports and small harbours can be expected.
- Damaging Winds are expected over the Garden Route, eastern Overberg, and Langeberg Municipality.
- Severe Thunderstorms are predicted over the Garden Route, Overberg, and southern Cape Winelands. This can lead to flash floods in the affected areas.
Bredell says all emergency, essential, as well as safety structures, are placed on a state of readiness and contingency plans are in place for any eventuality that might occur.
We are asking the public to please be careful from Sunday late afternoon until Monday. The weather will be very unpleasant and even dangerous in some places. Travel and visits to coastal towns, especially in the Overberg and Garden Route district municipalities should be carefully considered. No recreational sea activities are recommended due to the higher than usual waves and very strong winds which are expected.
The City has also reminded the public of the following tips on flood preparedness, mitigation and prevention:
• Clearing out drainage systems
• Raising the floor level of a structure so that it is higher than the natural ground level
• Making sandbags
• Digging trenches around the house to divert water away
• Reporting blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping – illegal dumping in the stormwater canals and sewers makes flooding worse.
• Fix leaking roofs.
Any weather-related emergencies can be directed to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
The gathering storm comes a week after the Springtide storm surges which left a trail of destruction along coastlines, with huge waves battering beaches.
A 93 year old former teacher was killed after she was knocked down by a huge wave that rushed over to the parking area at Leentjiesklip beach in the Wilderness.
