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Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre Alert 11 on 9 May 2026 at 09h00

Garden Route Multi-Agency Command Centre Alert 11 on 9 May 2026 at 09h00

Issued by Garden Route District Municipality

According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head of Disaster Management: “These floods are the worst that the Garden Route have experienced in the past 30 years. It has left widespread devastation across the eastern parts of the region, leaving several communities isolated and infrastructure heavily impacted with at least 45 roads closed”.

Reconnaissance flights will also be conducted to assess damage and identify stranded residents in isolated areas. Another humanitarian relief operation is planned for today, with assistance expected to reach approximately 100 people in De Vlugt.

As of this morning, electricity supply to Bitou has been restored, while water pumping systems are operational again. Sewerage pump stations, however, have not yet been fully restored and Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) continue to closely monitor the water surrounding these sites.

A major concern remains Haarlem, which is currently completely cut off due to flood damage. Concerned family members have been unable to make contact with loved ones in these areas. Additional aerial assistance has been requested to conduct assessments over Haarlem and Avontuur to evaluate conditions and identify urgent needs.

Emergency teams from George Municipality are currently making use of a temporary pump system in Uniondale to maintain essential services. Backup systems have been put in place within the Uniondale and Haarlem areas.

Large areas along the N9 route towards Haarlem, including Herold, Louvain, Joncksrust, Avontuur and surrounding communities, remain without electricity.

Additionally, aerial assistance has been requested for the Prince Albert Municipal Area, in the Central Karoo District where several farms have been cut off.

DISASTER RESCUES

  • Two people became stuck in a truck at Meiringspoort in a truck yesterday and they were safely airlifted from the incident.
  • Two people were successfully airlifted out of the Gamka Nature Reserve yesterday and medical supplies dropped off.
  • Aerial activation was also done for Van Wyksdorp, where two persons were surrounded by flood waters, however managed to self-rescue when the vehicle shifted to a lower bank in the stream.
  • At Die Hel (near the Swartberg Wildlife Reserve), 11 guests will be airlifted and taken to safety.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AT COMMUNITY HALLS

– George (29)
– Bitou (224)
– Knysna (Β±200)
– Oudtshoorn (32)

ROADS STATUS UPDATE

Due to rock falls, the R328 to Cango Caves from Oudtshoorn had to close due to rock falls.

Details of roads open, closed or partially open will be published as soon as it is issued by the Department of Infrastructure team.

Follow the Garden Route District Municipality’s Facebook Page to stay updated with the Disaster Response from a regional perspective:
www.facebook.com/gardenroutedm

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