Update 5: Garden Route Floods 07h00 update on 6 June 2024

Issued by the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at 07h15

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

Humanitarian needs in areas affected by the current floods in the Garden Route district are being addressed by Gift of the Givers. To access relief offered by Gift of the Givers or if you’d like to contribute, kindly reach out to Mario Ferreira at 082 490 2752.

STATUS QUO

The GRDM’s JOC remains active at its Head Office in George. However, the water levels of the rivers are gradually decreasing. Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head of Disaster Management, stated, “The water levels thankfully did not reach the 1996 levels at the Calitzdorp Hot Springs. Although the water spilling from dams in the catchment matched the 1996 level, they did not peak simultaneously. This resulted in the river flow moving south in ‘waves’ rather than as a single, destructive giant wave.”

Over the course of the incident, 17 people were rescued. These include four (4) women, nine (9) men and 4 children.

STATUS OF ROADS
ROADS THAT REMAIN CLOSED

Roads are proactively closed as the water flows to the southern part of the Gouritz area.

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

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

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

7) DR1713/R328 adjacent to the Raubenheimers Dam (enroute to Bergoord) (remains closed since 04/06/2024)
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

OUDTSHOORN

1) One lane is open to the Cango Caves.

STAY SAFE

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.

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

The next update is planned for 12h00 midday today, 6 June 2024.

Photo: Graph of hydrological data illustrating the levels of the Stompdrift and Kammanassie Dams (Source: Department of Water and Sanitation).

Photo: The Olifantsriver next to Dysselsdorp (Source: Oudtshoorn Municipality)