One person dead as waves causes havoc in the Western Cape

George Municipality in the Western Cape says its beaches will remain closed until further notice. At least one person is confirmed dead in the municipality after this weekend’s spring tide.

SCREENSHOT: Cars swept away as waves pass through Gordan's Bay

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute, the 93-year-old woman was swept away by a wave that hit a car park in Wilderness. Spring high tides and strong winds flooded homes and forced evacuations in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces.

George Municipality spokesperson, Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, has passed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished those injured this weekend a speedy recovery.

Videos show cars being swept away in Gordons Bay. Houses swept into sea on other parts of the coast. Springtide plus huge swells 7 to 9m high all along the South African coast from Cape Town to the Wild Coast. I was just informing Dion that it's a pity the yacht club cancelled… pic.twitter.com/6v1ltOuemB

— Lili Muller (@LiliMuller5) September 16, 2023

Meanwhile, The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, said on Sunday that additional assessments were conducted at Kalk Bay’s Brass Bell restaurant, which was impacted by the damaging swells.

“Initial assessments indicated damage to garage doors of eight properties in the Bikini Beach area of Gordon’s Bay, as well as sand and debris across the affected areas.

“The City’s solid waste department started with clean-up operations in Bikini Beach, while Traffic Services and Law Enforcement assisted with road closures.

“Reports of damage to the St James tidal pool have been received, with excessive sand and rocks being deposited in the passenger tunnels,” said Powell.

 

Done by: Alungile Njemla