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George Municipality on High Alert as Severe Weather Expected

In the photo: Heavy rain blankets parts of George as severe weather moves across the area.

George Municipality has activated its contingency plans and placed relevant municipal services on high alert following weather warnings issued for George and surrounding areas.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain affecting George and surrounding areas from 12:00 today, Thursday, 3 September, until 23:59 tonight. Rainfall accumulations of 20–40 mm are expected, increasing to 50–70 mm in mountainous areas.

A Level 2 Yellow Warning for strong to near-gale-force southeasterly winds of 40 to 50 km/h is also in effect from today through Friday morning. Along the south-west coast, winds could reach gale-force speeds of 65–70 km/h.

According to SAWS, the predicted conditions may result in flooding of roads and settlements, including informal and formal settlements; fast-flowing streams posing a danger to life; possible damage to roads and bridges; and major disruptions to traffic flow where roads are flooded or closed.

The George municipal area, including George, Uniondale and Haarlem, may be affected, along with other parts of the Garden Route.

Municipal services on high alert

An integrated, multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary response has been mobilised across the Municipality to ensure effective disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.
Since the weather warning was issued, the Municipality has been assessing its readiness and coordinating response measures ahead of the anticipated weather event.

Municipal services currently on high alert include Disaster Management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, Traffic Services, Civil Engineering Services, Electrotechnical Services and Technical Services.

Personnel and resources have been placed on standby to enable a rapid response to incidents arising from the anticipated weather conditions. Response arrangements also extend to Uniondale and Haarlem.

Executive Mayor of George, Ald Browen Johnson, urged residents to take the weather warnings seriously and to exercise caution as the Municipality continues to prepare for the anticipated con-ditions.

“Our residents’ safety remains our priority. Our municipal teams and relevant services are on standby and ready to respond to incidents as they arise. We urge residents, particularly those in areas vulnerable to flooding, to take the necessary precautions, avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather and heed any evacuation or safety advice issued by the authorities. We ask residents to remain vigilant, report emergencies as soon as possible and continue to monitor official municipal communication for updates,” said Mayor Johnson.

Residents urged to take precautions

Residents living in low-lying areas, flood-prone zones and areas along natural stormwater flow channels are strongly advised to take extra precautions, monitor weather conditions closely and prepare for possible localised flooding.

Residents should make early arrangements to move to safer or higher ground if conditions deteriorate and evacuation becomes necessary.

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Residents are urged to:
• If possible, stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, particularly during periods of heavy rain and strong winds.
• Never drive on a road covered by water.
• Avoid crossing rivers and swollen streams, particularly where water is above ankle height.
• If trapped in a vehicle during flooding, abandon the vehicle and move to higher ground if it is safe to do so.
• Switch off the electricity at the building’s main supply point if flooding threatens the property and it is safe to do so.
• In rural areas, protect or relocate animals to a safe place on higher ground.
• If evacuation is recommended, leave immediately and before floodwater cuts off access routes.

Residents are encouraged to monitor George Municipality’s official social media platforms, website and local media outlets for weather warnings, emergency notices and service updates.
Residents are also urged to save the emergency contact numbers below and report weather-related emergencies as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS

GEORGE

Municipal Switchboard
(07:45–16:30)
044 801 9111

Toll-Free Disaster Management – 24/7
0800 424 477

Fire Emergencies – 24/7
044 801 6311
After Hours
044 801 6300

UNIONDALE & HAARLEM

Uniondale/Haarlem Emergency Only
044 801 9189

Uniondale/Haarlem Fire Service
(07:45–16:30)
044 752 1225

Uniondale/Haarlem After Hours
044 801 6300

CIVIL ENGINEERING CUSTOMER SERVICES
Stormwater-related complaints – 07:45–16:30
044 801 9262 / 044 801 9266

COMMUNITY SAFETY
The Safer City Call Centre is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to receive and log safety-related complaints and incidents.

24-Hour Safer City Call Centre:
044 801 6350
044 801 6310
044 801 6389

GARDEN ROUTE DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE
044 805 5071

ENDS