#SAWeather and #Disaster #Observations South Africa : 26 December 2014 04h00 SAST - MSBWX

SAWS SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS: 

WARNINGS: -----Nil  

WATCHES: High seas with wave heights from 6 to 6.5m is expected between Cape Columbine and Port Alfred on Friday.  

SPECIAL WEATHER ADVISORIES: An intense tropical low pressure system is expected to move over Botswana, resulting in tropical moisture over the eastern and northern parts of South Africa from early hours on Saturday morning and into Monday. The Public is advised that heavy rain and flooding can be expected.  

MSBWX National Severe Weather Observations:  ------Nil

MSBWX General Weather Observations: Cool, warm to very hot conditions expected today over parts of SA. Thunderstorms and rain showers can be expected in parts of  Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Free State and Kwazulu Natal.  Isolated to scattered showers and rain expected in parts of the Western Cape, Southern Cape and Eastern Cape.  A cold front has moved in over parts of the Western Cape bringing with it colder weather, light rain, strong wind and rough seas. Holiday makers are advised to take note of the changing weather and the expected rough sea conditions that co-insides with New Moon Spring Tide. Boaters, paddlers, sail boarders and anyone launching any kind of craft onto water are advised to stay ashore until the cold front has passed and sea conditions improved.  Bathers must only swim where life guards are on duty and in demarcated areas.  

MSBWX National Disaster Observations:  Yesterday MSBWX warned the public that there was a high fire risk in areas of the Western Cape.  At 14h19 SAWXREP received a Twitter message for assistance at Vakansieplaas, Mossel Bay where a fire was burning and threatening homes.  

SAWXREP immediately responded and issued a SITREP to inform several organizations of the situation and to please activate their first responders to assist the emergency services, other NGO's and the public.  Unfortunately 4 houses were damaged but thankfully no one was seriously injured during the event. For more information and images follow @SAWXREP on Twitter. Herewith a few images of the fire.

Fire now extinguished. Firefighters still on scene to monitor the area for possible flare ups.  A big thank you to all who assisted in which ever way they could and also to those who posted images to @SAWXREP to keep the public informed.  A special word of thanks must go to Working on Fire, the heli and spotter plane pilots who under very difficult conditions were able to bombard the fire with water from the bambi bucket. Great piloting and accuracy.  Images: SAWXREP and Twitter  (Click on images for larger view.)

NSRI National Warnings:----------Nil

- MSBWX + SAWXREP + SAWS