There has been widespread power interruptions caused by storm-related damage across the Garden Route in the Western Cape.
Image: Knysna Municipality / Facebook
A social worker has died, several areas have been cut off and roads have been closed due to extensive flooding to parts of the Western Cape along the Garden Route.
Social worker Lauren Fredericks, 37, died when a tree fell on her vehicle during harrowing weather conditions in Knysna on Wednesday.
Family spokesperson Kelly Martin said the family is devastated by this tragic loss. She leaves behind her young son, Miguel, 10, and her husband, Frankie, who meant everything to her.
While weather warnings have been downgraded from Level 8 to Level 6, the Garden Route multi-agency command centre said areas including Knysna, Bitou, and George (Langkloof) remain a concern.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Garden Route Municipality said that during the night, the Stormdrift and Kammanassie Dams began spilling, adding to the water flowing from the Groot River through to Meiringspoort.
“These flows continue past Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp Hot Springs before eventually reaching Gouritz, where it will flow into the sea. Due to the increased water flow, Robinson Pass from the Oudtshoorn side has been closed. Meiringspoort also remains closed, with current assessments indicating that it may remain inaccessible for an extended period due to the extent of the damage recorded,” it said.
According to the municipality, water supply challenges are being experienced after pumps at water abstraction points were damaged in Bitou. Some communities have also been cut off from communication, and interventions are underway to address these challenges.
It further confirmed the remaining closure of the N9, the road between Avontuur and Haarlem, and the Swartberg Pass.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF), together with the Oudtshoorn Fire Department and SAPS divers, is working to evacuate residents from Bergoord safely. EMS Metro and a Medical Rescue Helicopter are being deployed to assess areas and possibly deliver food parcels to areas where access is cut off.
Eskom said that several areas were affected by power outages including Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn and surrounding areas along the Garden Route.
It said Plettenberg Bay town was successfully restored yesterday afternoon. Areas still affected are scattered across parts of Oudtshoorn and the greater Plettenberg Bay area. Most major towns have been restored, with only Sedgefield currently remaining without supply due to a confirmed line fault.
“Access to affected areas continues to be severely hindered by road closures, flooding and hazardous conditions. Resource plans for repair work are well underway and Eskom teams will commence restoration activities once safety conditions permit,” Eskom said.
More than 100 schools have also been forced to close due to the storms.
The following roads are listed in the Western Cape Government road closure update for the Garden Route District:
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