The Garden Route region is under severe weather alert as a significant storm system threatens to deliver heavy rainfall, strong winds, very cold conditions, and rough seas over the coming days.
Meteorological forecasts predict between 150 mm and 200 mm of rainfall across the Bitou, Knysna, and George municipalities, while Beaufort West municipality can expect between 50 mm and 90 mm. These conditions follow earlier weather events that have already saturated the ground and strained infrastructure.
Gerhard Otto, head of Disaster Management for the Garden Route District Municipality, outlined the immediate concerns facing the region. “The areas that are low-lying are why we’re concerned,” Otto stated. “Our dams are all full and will be spilling today with water coming in from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Central Karoo, as well as the rain we are going to get locally.”
Proactive evacuations have already been conducted in the Welgeluk and another area. Displaced residents are being housed at the Toekomsrust Hall under the coordination of the Oudtshoorn municipality. Disaster management teams are closely monitoring river levels to identify communities at risk and stand ready to conduct further evacuations if necessary.
Otto emphasized that the region remains highly vulnerable due to water-saturated soil from previous storms, including rainfall on May 6 and gale-force winds on May 11 that uprooted numerous trees. Tragically, two lives were lost in the district due to falling branches and trees during those earlier events. Residents are urged to avoid parking under trees and to exercise extreme caution.
The rural road network also presents hazards, with some sections only temporarily repaired. Authorities are advising residents to remain home if possible and to avoid using rural roads, as conditions are expected to be unsafe and slippery.
Public safety messages issued by disaster management include clear guidance for at-risk residents:
– Those living next to rivers in known flood-prone areas should evacuate proactively to stay with family or friends for at least the next two days, without waiting for official warnings.
– Motorists must not attempt to cross low-water bridges or structures that are overtopped by floodwaters. “Your vehicle is not a 4×4,” Otto warned, noting that numerous rescues were required on May 6 when drivers misjudged river crossings.
The most vulnerable locations identified include the Calitzdorp and Herbertsdale areas, where river systems converge toward the coast, as well as low-lying sections near Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay. Communities that experienced flooding during the May 6 event are considered particularly susceptible to repeat inundation given the forecasted rainfall totals.
Overnight, two rainfall stations in George recorded approximately 50 mm of precipitation. Fortunately, the rain fell gently, and stormwater infrastructure has, so far, managed the runoff effectively. However, officials stress that conditions could change rapidly as the storm system intensifies.
Disaster management teams remain on high alert, coordinating with local authorities and emergency services. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, prepare emergency supplies, and heed all evacuation advisories to ensure personal and community safety during this severe weather event.
