Flash floods in far south after heavy rains

Several areas in the far south were flooded last night Thursday, July 4, after heavy rains and reports of hail.

Social media platforms and community WhatsApp groups were inundated with photos and videos of flooded areas which included Masiphumelele, Ocean View, Sun Valley, Fish Hoek, and Kalk Bay.

The heavy rains followed a yellow level 2 warning issued by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for disruptive rainfall. The warning predicted localised flooding of roads and informal settlements, as well as motor vehicle accidents due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.

Ward Councillor Simon Liell-Cock said there had been some flooding of structures in the wetlands in Masiphumelele and the canals were a “chalkboard” but no structures were washed away.

He said ward councillor Patricia Francke was on site doing inspections with community leaders.

Mr Liell-Cock said some of the stormwater systems were unable to cope due to the torrential downpour, the run-off from the denuded mountainsides after the fires, and debris and sand blocking the channels and gulleys.

However, he added that across the entire far south, the systems functioned “extremely well”.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) spokesperson Charlotte Powell said a mud-slide damaged a Kalk Bay house and the City’s Roads Department is assisting with sandbags, and clearing debris.

The DRMC, she said, has also received reports of flooding of formal and informal structures in Sea Point, Seawinds, and Masiphumelele.

She said the City’s Roads and Informal Settlements Management Departments are also conducting assessments in informal settlements in Dunoon, Strand, Khayelitsha, Belgravia, Overcome Heights, and Gugulethu, following reports of flooding.

“We have reached out to the City’s Informal Settlements Management Department and the National Human Settlements Department for assistance with the structural damage caused,” she said, adding that the City’s humanitarian relief partners have been activated to provide soft relief to the different areas.

Saws has adjusted the level 4 warning for disruptive rainfall on Sunday to level 6 and has indicated that the bulk of the rain is likely to fall on Sunday morning, and that there is likely to be periods of very heavy downpours.

Ms Powell said the DRMC also cautioned residents about potential mudslides.

“Two such incidents have occurred in the Kalk Bay area this week, and with the frontal system expected to make landfall this weekend, residents, particularly those adjacent to mountain slopes, are encouraged to consider installing barriers or sandbags to protect their properties from potential mudslides,” she said.

She urged residents to identify vulnerable areas on their properties where mudslides could possibly occur, and place sandbags strategically in those areas to create barriers that will divert or slow down the flow of mud.

In the event of a life threatening emergency, residents can call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre at 021 480 7700.