The storm is expected to make landfall this afternoon and continuing through the night.

The South African Weather Services state significant rainfall can be expected for the Overberg and Garden Route districts with rainfall reaching up to 45mm in some areas.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell says the rain is expected to lead to flooding of informal settlements and roads in the affected areas.

“The Weather Services warns further that wind gusts of up to 70km/h can be expected along the south-west coast with wave heights up to 5.5 meters along the coast of the province and including the City of Cape Town.”

Bredell says the Western Cape Disaster Management Centre (WCDMC) has several contingency plans in place to keep the public as safe as possible.

“All thirty municipalities in the province are prepared for the coming winter. Our municipalities have standard operating procedures and contingency plans in place to address incidents in their areas. These plans include emergency response, providing relief and arranging temporary shelter for affected communities if needed. All disaster centres remain on standby.”

“In the affected areas, if possible, people are urged to stay indoors and off the roads, avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams where water is above your ankles and in the event of any emergency, please contact the emergency services immediately. The easiest number to remember is 112. This is a tollfree number and can be dialled from any cell phone.”

Additional regional numbers for reporting emergencies in the Western Cape:

· City of Cape Town – 107 or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357

· Overberg – 028 425 1690

· West Coast – 022 433 8700

· Garden Route – 044 805 5071

· Central Karoo – 023 449 8000

· Cape Winelands – 021 886 9244 / 021 887 4446

Media Release: Cut off low to cause adverse weather conditions over parts of the Western Cape (05-06 May 2021). pic.twitter.com/vbAl2WPGVW

— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) May 4, 2021