Image: Eumetsat (Click on image for larger view.)
This event is now something of the past. (hopefully) Once again this event started with an insignificant cold front and upper trough moving in over the Western Cape. No early official warnings or a write-up was issued by the designated authorities. This insignificant event turned into a severe weather event killing two people and leaving a trail of destruction in it's wake that will run into millions if not billions of rands of damage. I will summarize a few "destructive events" that were caused by this Cold Front/Cut-Off Low. I will not go into detail as this blog contains most if not all of the information.
1. Event started to unfold on the 22 April 2014 with a drastic change in the weather. Possibility of the development of a cut-off low along the Eastern Cape Coast.
2. The cold front brought light rain to areas of the Southern Cape on the 22/4/2014 while heavy downpours, thunderstorms and intense lightning have been reported along the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape.
3. A teenager was killed by lightning in Emandlutsha village in the Sholora administrative area in Elliotdale on the 22 April 2014 during a thunderstorm around 3pm.
4. Hundreds of residents around Dutywa and Elliotdale had to scramble for shelter from the heavy downpours driven by gale force winds on Tuesday (22 April 2014) afternoon.
5. In the disaster-prone Mbhashe local municipality a house was destroyed by fire and at least 30 cars were damaged in a trail of destruction left by a hailstorm. The storm, which struck around 3pm, destroyed windows in schools, government offices, cars and taxis.
6. At the Govan Mbeki township near the Dutywa CBD, the corrugated iron roof of a row of four semidetached flats still under construction was blown off.
7. In the Southern Cape heavy rainfall was observed at 02h00 on the 23/4/2014 and a flood observation report was issued at 02h10 as heavy rain continued to fall in the Mossel Bay area.
8. 42 mm of rain was recorded in Heiderand Mossel Bay up to 08h00 (23/4/2014) and it was still raining at that stage. The total rainfall for Mossel Bay for this event is 70mm.
9. Light to medium snowfall on the Drakensberg were reported by Snow Report SA and Afriski via Twitter on the 23/4/2014
10. 23/4/2014 - A fairly intense cut-off low system was developing along the Southern Cape coast. This was clearly visible on the latest satellite image. We clearly had the "ingredients" for a cut-off low to dump heavy rain in areas of the Southern Cape and Eastern Cape.
11. SAWXREP upgrade the Flood Expected Observation to a Flood Eminent Observation at 11h00 on the 23/4/2014
12. Meanwhile it was still raining heavily in parts of the Southern Cape and Eastern Cape and flood levels were rising.
13. Reports and images of heavy flooding in the East London area and localized flooding in the Port Elizabeth area were streaming in on Twitter and Facebook.
14. Tragedy struck in East London when a five-year-old boy drowned while trying to cross a flooded pathway in Duncan Village on the 23/4/2014
15. Eden Disaster Management was on high alert following heavy rain in parts of the Southern Cape and possible flooding.
16. SAWXREP upgrade Flood Eminent Observation to a Flood Occurring Observation at 15h00 SAST on the 23/4/2014
17. Several road closures in Port Elizabeth and East London due to Flooding.
18. Several vehicles stuck in water and several accidents reported in East London as a result flooding and rainy conditions.
19. SAWXREP intruduced a new Flood Observation Code System. The following codes were created: FLOOD EXPECTED; FLOOD EMINENT; FLOOD OCCURRING and FLOOD LEVELS DECREASING. SAWXREP will use these codes to inform the public of rising water levels, flooding and flash flooding.
20. Well over 100mm of rain were recorded in one day in areas of the Eastern Cape while 50mm and more in the Southern Cape.
21. 100's of people were left destitute after there homes were flooded. Duncan Village in East London were the worst effected. Disaster Management were busy making plans to accommodate destitude people in community centers. Localized flooding of houses, roads and sewerage systems.
22. Rivers came down in flood while the Nahoon dam in East London were overflowing.
23. There were a few new daily records (temperature and rainfall) set for the month of April. The Addo rainfall (57mm) is a 51 year record. Oudtshoorn reported a maximum of 13.2C, which is a 30 year record. Mossel Bay rainfall (27.4mm) is a 5 year record. George (Witfontein) rainfall (47.4mm) a 6 year record. More info available HERE.
There might even be more severe weather incidents but to date this is all that I have on record for the Western-, Southern and Eastern Cape. This "insignificant" weather system soon turned into severe weather Looking at the events it is clear that this weather system was once again underestimated by many.
This event illustrated just how unpredictable cut-off low systems are and how destructive they can be.
Early warnings and press releases are crucial and once the "alarm" has been raised, we need to be prepared and ready for any eventuality.
The East London area should be declared a Disaster Area. Extensive damage were caused to property, infrastructure and roads.
Finally: I would like to thank all the members of public, private sector, radio amateurs, the media and real time observers who send photos, information and reports about this event. With the information received we kept the public informed. I am overwhelmed by the response.
Once again thank you for the support and service. I am looking forward to your continued support. With your help we can render a free service to the public and hopefully contribute to save and better the lives of those in need.
MSBWX would hereby like to express it's condolences and sympathy to all those families and friends who lost loved one's as a result of the severe weather this past few days.
Johan Terblanche
Founder: MSBWX, SAWXREP
Mossel Bay
25 April 2014
