City of Cape Town Prepares for Severe Weather with Emergency Measures

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) has mobilised emergency teams to be on standby in light of an extreme weather alert from the South African Weather Services (SAWS).

SAWS has informed the DRMC of a Yellow Level 4 Warning for Disruptive Rain, predicting localised flooding of roads and vulnerable areas. This heavy rain is expected to impact the southern parts of the West Coast, the western regions of the Cape Winelands, the City of Cape Town, and the western areas of the Overberg districts on Tuesday, 4 June.

Additionally, SAWS has issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning for Damaging Winds. These winds could create hazardous conditions for small vessels and personal watercraft navigating the sea from Cape Point to Cape Agulhas on Monday, and from Cape Agulhas to Plettenberg Bay on Tuesday.

Sonica Lategan, spokesperson for the DRMC, urged residents to collaborate with the City to minimise risks to their properties.

“We are calling on residents to please work with us to reduce risks to their properties by clearing out drainage systems, and raising the floor level of a structure to be higher than the natural ground level.”

Lategan advised that residents could protect their homes by raising furniture on bricks to avoid water damage, creating sandbags, and digging trenches around their homes to divert water.

“Residents can also raise furniture on bricks to clear from the floor to limit water damage and make sandbags. Dig trenches around the house to divert water away from the house, report blocked drains, intakes and illegal dumping, especially illegal-dumping in the stormwater canals and sewers, which often makes flooding worse.”

Furthermore, the City has recommended that residents waterproof roofs, clear gutters, and remove dead tree branches to prevent possible damage to properties and facilities.

Lategan confirmed that the DRMC has put all relevant City departments on alert to address any issues arising from the forecasted weather conditions.

“The DRMC has alerted all relevant City departments to be on standby to deal with any impacts brought on by the forecast,”

said Lategan.

For emergencies, residents are encouraged to contact the Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.