The George Municipality in the Western Cape is facing extensive damage to infrastructure and private property, estimated to cost millions of rands, due to high waves resulting from a combination of stormy weather events and a spring tide. The most seriously disturbed area was Herolds Bay, where beach residents had to be evacuated. George Mayor Leon Van Wyk explained that the situation was exacerbated by the unique circumstances of a spring flood and upcoming equators, which led to the need for several days of cleanup due to sand buildup and damage to infrastructure.

In Cape Town, the Brass Bell Restaurant in Kalk Bay experienced significant damage when powerful waves caused by a jump flood shattered windows, damaged roofs and caused flooding. Co-owner Vanessa Harris described the desperate efforts to save electrical and valuables during the attack. The South African Weather Service has issued a warning to residents, especially motorists, in coastal towns across KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape provinces, urging them to exercise caution as high tidal waves wreaked havoc by dragging cars away and flooding homes and businesses.

This unusual confluence of events has been described by the weather services as a “perfect storm”, with extensive damage along the coast from Mossel Bay to Port Alfred, and there are reports of serious damage in several communities. Sadly, an elderly woman lost her life and one person sustained injuries during a storm surge in the Garden Route, forcing the George Municipality to close all beaches in the affected area for safety reasons.

SOURCE:Garden Route devastated after stormy weather (afrinuus.com)