WARNINGS: -----Nil
WATCHES: Heavy rain that may lead to localised flooding expected in places over Gauteng, Limpopo, eastern parts of North West, central and eastern Free State,extreme northern and western Mpumalanga and the eastern parts of the Eastern Cape.
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: Rough sea conditions during spring high tide in the early hours of this morning (Friday, 26th December) caused some flood damage to some roads, and to some houses, CoCT Disaster Risk Management evacuated a camping site at Silverstroomstrand. In some cases debris, kelp and flotsam washed onto some beaches and over some roads along parts of the West Coast and a part of the False Bay Coast. City of Cape Town Disaster Risk Management conducted mopping up operations where areas were affected and relocated to higher ground affected campers at a camp site in Silverstroomstrand. Areas along the coast that were affected by rough seas during the early hours of this morning, were Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Hout Bay, Kleinbaai, part of Bloubergstrand, Derde Steen, Tweede Steen, Riebeekstrand, Silverstroomstrand – on the West Coast and parts of Baden Powell Drive – on the False Bay Coast which has been temporarily closed by authorities due to debris and sea sand washed onto the road and cleaning operations are underway by the City of Cape Town authorities to reopen Baden Powell Drive. NSRI, Lifeguards and the Emergency Services have been placed on high alert today.
Images: NSRI (Click on images for larger view)
Holiday makers along Atlantic coastline left underwater by high tide conditions
Images: Disaster Management Cape Town (Click on images for larger view.)
· Campers at Silwerstroomstrand beach moved to higher ground
· Flood waters receding after 8 metre of wave heights occurred during early hours of the morning
· Disaster management and other public safety authorities placed on high-alert for expected further above normal high tides this evening
· South African Weather Service issued warning of high seas with wave heights from 6-9m expected between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay today (Friday)
· Appeal made to homeowners, bathers and campers to exercise extreme caution due to big swells along coastlines
· Three bathers rescued after been washed off Kalk Bay Harbour seawall Coastal towns and resorts along the Atlantic and False Bay coastline were left swamped after tidal surge during the early hours of this morning forced closure of beach roads and campers to move to higher ground.
Although flood waters were reported to be receding, the weather warning remains in force for high seas with wave heights from 6 – 9 metres expected for the remainder of the day (Friday) between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay. At 06:00 AM this morning the South African Weather Service observed high tides peaking at 8 metres at Slangkop near Cape Point. The high tide conditions resulted in flooding of roads and camping areas due to the rough sea conditions during Spring High Tide in the early hours. The City’s disaster response teams commenced with mopping-up the Baden Powell coastal Road between Muizenberg and Strandfontein that was completely flooded after 06:00 AM this morning. The roadway will remain closed under the area has been cleared and made safe. The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre confirms that the rough seas and high tide conditions did not claim any lives, however it caused major disruption on roadways and camping areas at coastal resorts this morning. Between 05:00 and 06:00 this morning whilst most of holidaymakers were asleep tidal waters flooded tent and caravan camping sites at Ganzekraal on the West Coast, Silwerstroomstrand Beach near Mamre and Atlantis as well as the coastline between Melkbosstrand until Milnerton Lagoon on the Atlantic Seaboard. The chalets at the Kleinbaai Resort near Melkbosstrand were standing under water this morning and stagnant water was visible in the recreational areas. The subway at Dalebrook Tidal Pool was completely flood and benches have washed into the pool. The coastal roads between Hout Bay, Kalk Bay, Muizenberg, Strandfontein, Gordon’s Bay and Strand along the False Bay coastline were also flooded. The City of Cape Town commenced with relocating holidaymakers to higher ground and mopping-up coastal roads from debris, kelp and flotsam. The high tide this morning had prompted fears of further flooding but passed without major incident. An appeal is made to members of the public and bathers to pay very close attention to advice from the disaster management officials, law enforcement authorities and emergency services. The Cape Town Office of the South African Weather Service predicts that temperatures would be mild over the weekend between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. The City’s has placed disaster response teams and other public safety authorities on high-alert for another possible flood event this evening at 18:00 PM during high tide. The public are reminded that there will be a second high tide this evening and, although not anticipated to cause problems, there is still the potential for flooding of coastal areas. The City is monitoring the situation and if the circumstances worsen support and cooperation from other government entities and auxiliary organisations will be invoked. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), lifeguards and emergency services will remain on high alert throughout the day. This morning on-duty lifeguards rescued three (3) bathers that were washed off the Kalk Bay Harbour seawall by rough sea conditions. A general caution is issued urging 'sightseers' and bathers to stay away from harbours, seawalls and rocks and exercising caution at tidal pools due to massive swells and rough sea conditions. The City of Cape Town will continue to monitor further developments relating to the weather system. The public is urged to regularly follow weather forecasts on television and radio.
- Disaster Management Cape Town
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, Western Cape (Karoo), Free State and Kwazulu Natal. Rough seas is still expected along the Western- , Eastern Cape and Kwazulu Natal coast this weekend. Holiday makers are advised to take note of the rough sea conditions. Boaters, paddlers, sail boarders and anyone launching any kind of craft onto water are advised to stay ashore until the sea conditions improved. Bathers must only swim where life guards are on duty and in demarcated areas.
MSBWX National Disaster Observations: -----Nil
NSRI National Warnings: Tidal surge caused 150 people to be swept out to sea: Lifeguards have confirmed that a drowning victim, an adult male, has not been recovered at Salmon Bay, Ballito following a drowning accident. Then at Addington Beach, Durban, lifeguards reported that a tidal surge caused 150 people to be swept out to sea. One person, an adult male, drowned and his body was recovered. Ethekweni lifeguards rescued the people and KZN-EMRS paramedics treated 40 people for near drowning symptoms but none were required to be transported to hospital. At 16h39, Friday, 26th December, NSRI Durban responded to Addington Beach following reports of a mass drowning incident. On arrival on-scene Ethekweni lifeguards and KZN EMRS confirmed that all people (unknown to NSRI the number of people involved) had been rescued from the surf by lifeguards and required no further assistance. NSRI are urging bathers to be extremely cautious over this weekend while rough seas and strong rip currents continue to be experienced around the coast. TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
- MSBWX + SAWXREP + SAWS
