Severe Weather Warning Remains in Effect – George Municipality on High Alert
George Municipality confirms that contingency plans remain fully activated, with all relevant services on high alert as severe weather conditions are expected from Wednesday, 6 May to Thursday, 7 May 2026.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has maintained its warning of an intense cut-off low-pressure system impacting parts of the Western Cape. The alert levels remain unchanged, including a Yellow Level 2 warning, as well as Orange Level 6 and Orange Level 8 warnings for significant disruptive rainfall across central and eastern regions. SAWS has advised that the cut-off low-pressure system is expected to result in widespread and disruptive rainfall (100–200 mm in places), flooding of roads, settlements and low-lying areas, damaging winds, coastal waves (5–7 m), disruptive snowfall in high-lying areas, and severe thunderstorms with hail and excessive lightning.
Municipalities in the Garden Route, Overberg, and Central Karoo are particularly at risk. Affected areas include: George, Uniondale, Haarlem, Knysna, Bitou, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn.
An integrated, multi-sectoral response remains in place across all municipal directorates, including Disaster Management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, Traffic Services, Civil Engineering, and Technical Services, as well as operations in Uniondale.
Additional operational updates:
• SANParks is responsible for the opening of the Touw River mouth and is on high alert to implement this measure should conditions require it.
• Municipal services continue as normal; however Refuse collection for Wednesday 6 May will focus on black bags only, subject to rainfall levels. A further notice will be issued tomorrow morning in this regard.
Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution and, where possible, avoid travelling during this period. Where necessary, loudhailing has been conducted in vulnerable areas, and residents have received SMS alerts.
Where possible, residents are encouraged to move to higher ground and seek shelter with family or friends.
The Western Cape Department of Education has pre-emptively closed schools for Wednesday and Thursday in the following circuits:
• Circuit 3 and 8 (George)
• Circuit 4 (Knysna)
• Circuits 5 and 6 (Oudtshoorn)
Safety Reminders:
• Clear gutters and drains to prevent flooding
• Do not dump waste illegally, as it blocks stormwater systems
• Report blocked or damaged stormwater infrastructure
• Ensure yard drainage systems are functioning
• Remain indoors where possible
• Avoid flooded roads, low-lying areas, and rivers
• Be ready to move to higher ground if required
• Ensure pets are safe
• Sand for sandbags can be collected at George Fire Department, Mitchell Street entrance/
Residents are encouraged to monitor official municipal platforms and local media for updates
Emergency Contact Numbers
George:
Switchboard (07:45–16:30): 044 801 9111
After-hours and emergencies: 044 801 6300
Disaster Management (Toll-Free): 087 152 9999
Fire Department: 044 801 6311
Garden Route Disaster Centre: 044 805 5071
Civil Engineering (Stormwater): 044 801 9262 / 044 801 9266
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350 / 044 801 6389
Uniondale:
Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard / Faults: 044 752 1024
After-hours: 044 801 6300
