City assists Cape Town residents following bad weather conditions

The City’s disaster response team assisted 707 households that experienced discomfort as a result of the heavy rains that occurred overnight.

The City attempted to relocate the household prior to the winter season that were affected and that are illegally situated in floodplain areas.

The following areas were affected by the heavy rains:

· UITSIG: Five (5) houses flooded in Connaught Road, Uitsig. The City’s Roads & Stormwater Department provided sandbags to mitigate further flooding of households.

· PHOLA PARK, GUGULETHU: The City received reports of the area been affected, however following inspection of the area no flooding occurred.

· MURRAY & ROBERTS INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, BROWN’S FARM: The area was inspected and no flooding occurred.

· SWEET HOMES INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, DUYNEFONTEIN ROAD, BROWN’S FARM: The area was waterlogged as a result of ponding of water that submerged the surface. The City’s Roads & Stormwater Department has pumped out the water from the area.

· HAPPY VALLEY INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, BLACKHEATH: The area off Wimbledon Drive (opposite the Coke Factory) was inspected. The heavy downpour of rain affected 132 structures and assistance was provided to 528 persons. The City opened the Happy Valley Community Hall however the persons refused to be sheltered.

· SEKELELA INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, KUILS RIVER: The rains affected 40 households and assistance was provided to 110 persons in the area.

· BM SECTION, KHAYELITSHA: The households illegally erected structures in a floodplain area and the City attempted to relocate the families, however the community refused to be moved to an alternative area. The City’s disaster response teams provided assistance to 380 households and 500 people.

· RR SECTION, KHAYELITSHA: The RR Section in Khayelitsha is also located in a floodplain area. The rains affected 150 households and 450 people were assisted by the City of Cape Town.

The City provided social relief of distress in the form of hot meals, blankets, clothing, plastic sheeting and baby packs amongst other to 1,596 persons over the past 24 hours as a result of the heavy rains that caused discomfort.

Further assistance is provided by the Western Cape Social Development Department and the South African Social Security Agency to the victims.

As from Friday, 06 July 2012 the City received 397 complaints for flooding of roads, property and informal settlements. At 16:30 on Saturday, 07 July 2012 the City’s Roads and Stormwater Department dealt with 313 by taking the necessary remedial action. The remaining 84 complaints is in processes of been resolved.

The warnings issued by the SA Weather Services for heavy swells; heavy rainfall and very cold conditions are still in force as indicated below:

· Heavy rainfall (greater than 50mm) is expected in places over Cape Peninsula, south and south-western parts of Cape Winelands District and Overberg District overnight to Saturday.

· Heavy south-westerly swell in excess of 4 metres is expected along the Atlantic and False Bay coastline of Cape Town.

· Very cold conditions are expected over the high ground on Saturday.

The weather system indicates that the cold, wet and windy conditions will persist for the weekend and for the rest of the forthcoming week.

Today was showery with morning clouds and cold conditions; and temperatures will remain below twenty (20) degrees for the weekend and forthcoming week.

The weather forecast also indicates gusting wind conditions along the coastline with heavy swells and rough seas with a total wave height in excess of four (4) metres that can be expected between Cape Columbine and Cape Agulhas.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre makes a renewed appeal to all Capetonians to please exercise extreme caution during these winter conditions.

· Motorists should slow down and maintain a safe following distances on roadways.

· Residents must keep a careful eye on open flames and extinguish fires (including candles, lamps and paraffin stoves) before going to bed.

· Members of the public should stay away from areas such as the Sea Point Promenade, Atlantic Seaboard, False Bay coastline and Strand/Gordon’s Bay beachfront during this period, to avoid the risk of tidal backwash.

· Private home owners living close to the beach need to be prepared for possible storm surge impacts to their property.

Residents can reduce their flood risk by adhering to the following tips:

· Check and maintain the private drainage facilities on your property to ensure that they are in good working order.

· Check for dead and burnt trees that could fall onto the property, and notify the authorities if there is a danger.

· Place sandbags where necessary to protect critical areas.

· If there is a threat of severe flooding or debris flow to your property, select a route through the property that will cause the least damage (such as a pathway or stairs) and use sandbags to try and confine the flow to that route.

· Raise the floor level of your home so that it is higher than the land outside.

· Listen to weather warnings that are issued by the South African Weather Service.

· Check the terms of your insurance policy with regard to flood and mud damage.

The Disaster Risk Management Centre and relevant Departments are on high alert, working with the supporting disaster response agencies and public safety authorities.

Residents are encouraged to report any emergencies to the City’s 107 line. This line can be used if one’s life or property is endangered – the caller will be transferred to the relevant emergency service provider. Dial 107 from a Telkom line or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. The quicker incidents are reported, the more quickly help can arrive.

Flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions can be reported to the City’s Customer Contact Centre on 0860 103 089. Enquiries and/or complaints regarding burst and leaking water mains, faulty and leaking water meters, or blocked and overflowing sewers can also be reported via SMS to 31373. Enquiries and/or complaints regarding electricity faults can be reported via SMS to 31220.

The City’s Transport Information Centre can be contacted on 0800 65 64 63 for information on delays on roadways and deviations.


End

Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

Wilfred Schrevian Evan Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre

SAWDOS:    SAWDOS would really like to compliment Mr Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, the Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre.  On behalf of Cape Town Disaster Management, Mr Solomons-Johannes  established a credibility and productive working relationships with the SAWDOS, the public and representatives of the media  which is critical in any disaster situation.  By implementing a continuous program of testing, role-playing and issuing of media statements, he constantly implement contingency planning that dramatically improve disaster management's chances of cutting loss when a disaster strikes home turf. Disaster management is the discipline dealing with and avoiding risks. It is the system of recovery from the losses faced due to accidents, fire flood, earthquake and any natural calamity. It can be in office, in a factory, in a house and anywhere. It is a discipline that involves preparing, supporting, and rebuilding society when natural or man-made disasters occur. Disaster management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid or ameliorate the impact of disasters resulting from the hazards. Actions taken depend in part on perceptions of risk of those exposed. Effective disaster management relies on thorough integration of disaster plans at all levels of government and non-governmental organizations like SAWDOS.  Observations by SAWDOS revealed that Mr Solomons-Johannes and his Disaster Management teams assist effected communities to better deal with the situation. This result in safer, quicker and with greater benefit than without someone or organization taking responsibility for disaster relief. He and his teams are thanked for their zeal and devotion to the community of Cape Town. Keep up the good work and keep the public informed.

Johan Terblanche

Founder: SA Weather and Disaster Observation Service

Mossel Bay

7 July 2012