Emergency Teams Race To Rescue Residents As Floods Devastate Eastern And Western Cape

Widespread flooding and storm damage have caused devastation across parts of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, leaving roads destroyed, homes damaged and thousands displaced as emergency teams continue rescue operations.

The Gamtoos Valley and surrounding Kouga region were among the hardest-hit areas after days of heavy rain caused rivers and dams to overflow.

Kouga Municipality issued urgent evacuation notices for residents living in low-lying areas after the Kouga Dam exceeded capacity.

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Residents from Kingsway Village, Big Fish, Gamtoos Mouth Resort and Ferry Hotel were instructed to evacuate as water levels in the Gamtoos River rose rapidly.

The municipality again warned residents on Friday to leave immediately as river levels continued increasing.

Authorities also confirmed that the Impofu Dam had reached 110% capacity following persistent rainfall.

Emergency Teams’ Operations Intensify In Gamtoos Valley

Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman said emergency teams were rescuing residents trapped by floodwaters in the Gamtoos River Valley.

“Rescue operations are currently in place in the Gamtoos River Valley at Gamtoos Mouth where about 40 residents are trapped by the flooding of the Gamtoos River,” Bornman said.

“The rescue operation is being undertaken by the National Sea Rescue Institute, the South African Police Service divers and our municipal emergency staff who are there making sure residents are safe and that we get to them as quickly as possible.”

Bornman said the situation remained dangerous overnight as river levels continued to rise.

“The Krom River levels are rising very fast so we want to urge residents to please get to safety. Do not take chances,” he said.

He confirmed that the R102 between Montagu and the Ferry Hotel had been closed due to severe flooding.

“It’s incredible, the amount of damage our infrastructure has sustained, roads have been washed away and areas like the one behind us have been severely affected,” Bornman said.

He added that towns including Humansdorp and Hankey had suffered significant flood damage, with homes evacuated in several areas.

Roads Collapse As Weather Batters Infrastructure

The severe weather also caused a section of the R62 between Kareedouw and Joubertina to collapse following persistent rain and saturated ground conditions.

Eastern Cape transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said engineers were assessing the damage while the route remained closed.

“The collapse of the section of the R62 is by far the biggest infrastructure blow we have suffered since the beginning of the adverse weather conditions,” Binqose said.

Motorists travelling between the Eastern and Western Cape have been advised to use the N2 instead.

According to the South African Weather Service, several regions recorded exceptionally high rainfall totals over the past 48 hours.

Joubertina recorded more than 219mm at one station and more than 300mm during the rainfall period, while Port Alfred received 113mm and George recorded 91.9mm.

Meteorologist Lelo Kleinbooi said the severe weather was linked to a powerful cut-off low-pressure system.

“Strong to gale-force winds, heavy rain leading to flooding, very rough to high seas, snowfall that may be disruptive and very cold conditions are expected over the Cape provinces,” Kleinbooi said.

Thousands Relocated As Garden Route Communities Cut Off

The storm system also caused major disruption across the Garden Route, with flooding forcing evacuations and cutting electricity to several communities.

Knysna and Plettenberg Bay were among the worst-affected areas after more than 200mm of rain fell in some locations.

Residents near the Piesang Valley River in Plettenberg Bay were evacuated after the river burst its banks.

Garden Route disaster management head Gerhard Otto said some communities remained isolated.

“We are aware of some areas that are still cut off and there’s no power in the Langkloof area, as well as in some areas in Plettenberg Bay and also some areas in the Knysna area,” Otto said.

Floodwaters also caused electricity outages in areas including Kurland, Nature’s Valley, Green Valley and Kranshoek.

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In Nelson Mandela Bay, emergency shelters were opened after floodwaters submerged roads and homes.

Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe confirmed that more than 2,500 residents had already been relocated to temporary shelters.

“To date, we have successfully rescued a total of 2,517 residents, who have been relocated to over 23 community centres currently serving as temporary shelters,” Lobishe said.

Relief organisations, including Gift of the Givers, have since intensified aid efforts across affected communities.

Search and rescue teams remain on high alert as forecasters warn that more heavy rain and dangerous weather conditions could continue into the weekend.