WILD WEATHER: Garden Route braces for more flooding as second major storm hits in a month

A powerful storm system is sweeping across the Garden Route, bringing dangerous flooding, evacuations and road closures to multiple communities while striking a region still deep in recovery from a devastating storm just weeks ago.

The Garden Route is preparing for a second major storm in less than a month, with evacuations already under way on Wednesday and authorities warning that up to 200mm of rain could fall on ground still saturated from the devastating 6 May floods.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) issued an Orange Level 8 warning, the second-highest impact category on its scale, for the southern parts of the Western and Eastern Cape, with the Garden Route District of the Western Cape expected to be most severely affected.

The system is forecast to bring widespread heavy rainfall, strong winds, very cold conditions, and rough seas from Wednesday into Thursday, with fast-flowing streams and rivers posing a danger to life, and major transport routes at risk of flooding and poor visibility.

According to Saws, as cited by Western Cape Minister of Local Government Anton Bredell, the municipalities of Bitou, Knysna and George can expect accumulated rainfall of up to 200mm over the two days.

The Garden Route District Municipality’s head of disaster management, Gerhard Otto, warned on Tuesday, 2 June, that every dam in the district was currently at 100% capacity.

“Any water in addition to what is already in this area will just add to low-lying areas getting flooded,” he said. Otto added that road repairs carried out after the May storm were all temporary, meaning further road failures should be expected.

He also warned residents to be alert for fallen trees, noting that two people died after being struck by trees during the 6 May storm. Otto also confirmed that two areas in the district were still without electricity from the previous storm, with Eskom working to restore supply.

Following consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Western Cape Education Department announced that all public schools in the Eden and Central Karoo Education Districts would be closed on 3 and 4 June, citing learner and teacher safety. Schools are expected to reopen on Friday, 5 June.

Bredell said provincial and municipal disaster management structures had been activated and were closely monitoring developments, with emergency services on high alert, humanitarian support partners mobilised, and health and rescue services on standby.

Otto said farmers across the district had been advised to prepare supplies for up to 14 days, the period s