The National Sea Rescue Institute has urged people to be cautious along coastlines as the Spring tide caused some damage on Saturday evening across a number of coastal communities in the Eastern, Southern and Western Cape, as a storm surge swept away cars and flooded nearby homes and businesses.

The Spring tide peaked on Friday night with the new moon and is expected to lift by Wednesday or Thursday.

Yesterday, scores of videos and pictures flooded social media, showing massive storm waves lifting stationary vehicles in places like Gordon’s Bay, Stilbaai, Mossel Bay, and Three Anchor Bay in Cape Town.

The NSRI says an elderly woman unfortunately died in Wilderness at Leentjiesklip beach after a giant wave swept her off her feet. The wave had crashed onto the nearby parking area, also lifting cars up in the wash.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre was in site in Gordon’s Bay to determine whether the damage, and assessments as well as mopping up operations will continue.

The warnings issued by the SA Weather Service have been limited to the southern parts of the province; however, the City has cautioned residents in the metropole to be cautious and to steer clear of coastal areas, as a precaution.

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 4 Warning for waves that could lead to localized disruption of small harbors and/or harbours for a short period today (Sunday) between Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay.