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Severe Weather Impact in the Garden Route National Park.
Three people have lost their lives in separate incidents in and around the Cape Town Metropole due to severe wind and rainfall that have lashed large parts of the province.
The Western Cape government has confirmed that the three deaths were caused by trees falling on vehicles and people who drowned attempting to cross rivers.
Western Cape acting Premier, Ivan Meyer, says the provincial cabinet and the Premier’s Coordinating Forum (PCF) met last night and have decided to classify the severe weather as a disaster.
Meyer says the provincial disaster management centre, as well as all joint operating centres, will work around the clock to assist those affected by the storms.
He says gale-force winds and disruptive rainfall have caused widespread damage.
Meyer says fallen trees, electricity outages and localised flooding have been reported in the Overberg, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, West Coast and the City of Cape Town Metropole.
Warnings of heavy rainfall, strong winds and rough sea conditions remain in place.
Video | Severe weather claims three lives in Western Cape – Vanessa Poonah reports:
Meanwhile, rain is now falling in parts of the Garden Route and Little Karoo region following yesterday’s destructive windstorm.
Gale force winds were gusting at more than 100km/h, knocking down hundreds of trees, causing power outages and destroying properties.
The region is still recovering from last week’s flood damage from the Category 8 storm. Emergency services worked to reopen roads that were blocked by falling trees.
Residents and businesses will be counting their losses due to roof and other damage to their premises.
Flights that were grounded at the George Airport are now back on schedule.
Weather permitting, rescue operations will also continue for those communities cut off during last week’s floods.
Video | Second cold front lands in the Western Cape:
