City’s Disaster Response teams on high alert following series of weather warnings

The City of Cape Town’s City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre, together with its supporting disaster response agencies and public safety authorities, are on high alert following warnings of inclement weather this weekend.

The minor cold front to the west of Cape Town yesterday 9 August 2012 has now strengthened and grown into a larger lower frontal system. The weather forecast indicates heavy rainfall peaking at 100% on Saturday 11 August and 90% on Sunday 12 August; with persistent high rainfall next week across the Cape Peninsula along with associated north-westerly winds reaching 60 km/h.

The South African Weather Service has issued the following weather warnings:

· Gale-force westerly/north-westerly winds (35 knots or 65 km/hour) are expected between Table Bay and Cape Agulhas overnight on Friday, spreading to Alexander Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday.

· Gale-force westerly/north-westerly winds (35 knots or 65 km/hour) are expected over the interior of the Western Cape and western interior of the Northern Cape on Saturday.

· Very rough seas (with waves of 4 – 6 metres) south of Cape Columbine overnight (Friday into Saturday) reaching high seas (6 – 9 metres) south of Lamberts Bay by Saturday afternoon subsiding on Sunday night.

· Heavy falls of rain are expected in the West Coast District, Cape Metropole, Cape Winelands and Overberg Districts on Saturday.

· Snowfalls are expected on the western high-ground of the Western Cape on Saturday morning, spreading to the east and southern high-ground of the Northern Cape during the afternoon.

· Very cold, wet and windy conditions to set in over the Western Cape and parts of the Northern Cape overnight tonight (Friday) persisting through to Saturday.

In addition, a watch was issued for very cold conditions persisting on the high-ground of the Western Cape and western high-ground of the Northern Cape on Sunday.

The City appeals to all Capetonians to please exercise extreme caution during these weather conditions and to heed the following advisories:

· Slow down and maintain safe following distances on all roadways.

· Dress warmly if you are out in the cold to protect yourself against the elements.

· If sick, especially with influenza (flu), consult your local clinic, hospital or private medical practitioner for medical attention.

· Keep a watchful eye on open flames and extinguish them before going to bed (including candles, lamps and paraffin stoves).

It is likely that the expected heavy rainfall will cause localised flooding across the Cape Peninsula. This may be exacerbated by the fact that the water-table in the Cape Flats is already very high as a result of recent rains.

The South African Weather Service will keep the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre informed regarding weather conditions, and further advice will be made available if and when required.

Residents are reminded to use the 107 number in the event of an emergency so that the nearest relevant emergency service provider can be dispatched. Dial 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone. The sooner you phone, the sooner help will arrive.

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

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

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Issued by: Integrated Strategic Communication and Branding Department, City of Cape Town

Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration and Special Projects and Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town