George flash floods have caused extensive damage to property and forced the closure of a number of key routes on Monday.
Watch: George flash floods destroy property
The torrential weather swept across the eastern coast of the Western Cape this weekend, leaving a trail of destruction across the Garden Route.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Level 2 warning in the following areas:
- Knysna
- Plettenberg Bay
- George
- Swellendam
- Riversdale
- Robertson
- Mosselbay
The combination of harsh rainfall and strong winds has resulted in roads completely flooded and not safe for driving, as well as vehicles and property damaged.
Here are some of the videos we found on social media, recorded by eyewitnesses to the George flash floods.
George, this morning 😳😳🤭 pic.twitter.com/9kPwZ7ziBV
— Barry Roodt (@barryroodt) November 22, 2021
@TrafficSA @SAWeatherServic #OuteniquaPass #George #flooding
— Terence T (@wallaby_fan) November 22, 2021
*video provided – unknown pic.twitter.com/4KApxv8Zvn
in George deur my ouers die video gekry📸Hester Swanepoel @peoples_weather @JoelGuy_ @SAWeatherServic @VoxWeatherZa @_ArriveAlive @AgriWesKaap pic.twitter.com/gzyhO4HgPi
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) November 22, 2021
Groot brakrivier in vloed. Water oppad na Wolwedans dam. Dit reën nog baie sterk tans. 📹Louis Botha-Crause pic.twitter.com/BWxsKV6np7
— ReenvalSA (@ReenvalSA) November 22, 2021
Motorists in George have been advised to avoid these roads:
- Langenhoven Street;
- Hope Street;
- St. Mary Street;
- R102 Old Airport Road;
- Fiegland Street, Borchards;
- Merriman Street closed from Laing Street to Union; and
- Saasveld Road/Madiba Drive (closed entirely).
Garden Route weather warnings to take note of
According to Ventusky readings, the torrential weather sweeping past the coastal line of the Garden Route is expected to remain in place on Monday, bringing along a high probability of severe thunderstorms .
By Tuesday 23 November 2021, a semblance of normalcy is expected to return to the skies in the Western Cape’s eastern coastline, with a few patches of light rain likely to persist in areas like Keurboomstrand, Nature’s Valley, Sanddrif, Oubosstrand and Oyster Bay.
These are the Level 2 weather warnings to take note of:
- Localised flooding/flash flooding of susceptible formal/informal settlements
- Flooding of roads may occur which can affect major routes contributing to longer travel times together with reduced visibility and slippery roads can also cause minor vehicle accidents
- Isolated events of lightning can contribute to localised service disruption due to power surges.
