Update 4: Garden Route Floods 18h00 update on 5 June 2024

Issued by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at 18h00

The GRDM’s JOC remains activated at its Head Office in George because of persistent rainfall experienced in parts of the Western, North and Eastern Cape since 1 June 2024. People in areas near rivers or those who are considering to cross low-water bridges or structures should avoid doing so at all costs. If a residence is prone to flooding, people should move to higher ground to ensure the safety of family members, pets, and livestock.

Do not attempt to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters, as these can be deeper and faster-moving than what is assumed.

According to Gerhard Otto, the GRDM Head of Disaster Management, “the peak of the floods have not yet reached all areas in the Garden Route district. For the southern parts of the district, it is expected to only peak in the early hours tomorrow (6 June 2024). SAPS Border Police is stationed in Oudtshoorn, with a team on standby in Mossel Bay for any emerging rescue or recovery incidents”.

RESCUES, RECOVERIES & EVACUATIONS

To date, 17 people have been rescued.

– 11 People (3 women, 4 men and 4 children) rescued from Welgeluk in Oudtshoorn rescued with Pencil Duck.
– 6 People (1 woman, 5 men) rescued from the Meiringspoort Pass with a helicopter.

Guests at Calitzdorp Hot Springs have been evacuated because of the downflow of the Olifants River.

ROADS THAT REMAIN CLOSED

OUDTSHOORN

1) Meiringspoort (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Via the N9, Willowmore from Beaufort West.

2) Swartberg Pass (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: No alternative route.

3) N12 between Oudtshoorn and De Rust where the road crosses the Nel’s river (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Access via the Langkloof road.

4) DR1713/R328 adjacent to the Raubenheimers Dam (enroute to Bergoord) (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: No alternative route.

5) Volmoed Road due to rockfalls (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Access via the R328 between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn.

6) The Cango Caves (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: No alternative route.

7) Rooiheuwel Road (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Via Dysselsdorp.

8) R328 between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn (closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: No alternative route.

MOSSEL BAY

1) Geelbeksvlei Road (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Use the Botlierskop Road or the R328 leading towards the N2.

KNYSNA

1) Rheenendal Road off the N2 (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Access Rheenendal via the Barrington Road off the N2. The other alternative is to access Rheenendal via the Seven Passes Road.

GEORGE/WILDERNESS/UNIONDALE

1) DR1660 Joncksrust Road (or known as Kliprivier Road) (30km from Uniondale) due to rockfalls (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Road is not fully cut-off, but can follow an alternative route via Avontuur.

2) Prince Alfred Pass between Uniondale and Knysna due to rockfalls and flooding (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: No alternative route for this road.

3) Haarlem access on the west side is restricted (remains closed since 05/06/2024)
Alternative Route: Access possible from the east turn-off.

ROADS OPENED AGAIN TODAY

MOSSEL BAY

1) DR1532 Vleesbay Road (opened again before 15h00 on 05/06/2024)

*ADDITIONAL DETAILS*

Report weather-related incidents to the Garden Route Emergency Call Centre on 044 805 5071.

Updates are posted to the GRDM Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm

RELIEF FOR HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
Humanitarian needs in areas affected by the current flood in the Garden Route District are being assessed by Gift of the Givers.
Please contact Mr Mario Ferreira at 082 490 2752 if you have any urgent needs or want to make a donation.

The next update is planned for 07h00 tomorrow, 6 June 2024.

Feature Image: Calitzdorp Hotsprings flood image