GEORGE NEWS - Residents across George continue to experience electricity outages following severe weather and strong winds earlier this week, with municipal teams working around the clock to restore supply to affected areas.
In an update issued on Friday afternoon, 15 May, the George Municipality said electrical teams initially prioritised restoring high- and medium-voltage power lines to ensure critical infrastructure - including water treatment works, wastewater systems and sanitation services - remained operational.
Municipal crews also assisted with Eskom-related outages where possible.
According to the municipality, the Electrical Engineering Services Directorate has divided the George area into six operational zones, each managed by a Senior Superintendent overseeing multiple repair teams tackling widespread low-voltage faults.
Extensive storm damage slowing repairs
While many substations have already been restored through emergency repairs, significant storm damage in some areas is delaying progress.
The municipality said fallen trees, damaged poles and downed power lines require extensive safety procedures before electricity can be restored.
Residents have been urged to treat all power lines as live at all times.
Process Followed When Trees Damage Power Lines
Before power can safely be restored, teams must:
- Isolate the line
- Cut and remove fallen trees
- Replace damaged poles
- Restring and secure power lines
- Re-energise the network
The municipality noted that the re-energising process alone can take several hours.
Hundreds of Low-Voltage Faults Reported
George Municipality said it is currently attending to several hundred complaints involving individual homes and streets without electricity.
Residents who have already logged faults and received reference numbers have been assured their complaints are being attended to systematically, although no estimated restoration times can currently be provided.
Areas Scheduled for Restoration
The municipality said work is planned for the following areas today, 15 May, and tomorrow, 16 May:
Planned for today
- Miller and Spandiel Streets, Rosemoor
- Kanarie Street, Rosemoor
- Glenwood line behind the school, Saasveld, NMU, and Pollie Gerber Street
- Parts of Fir and Cypress Streets, Heather Park
- Airway to town
- Pine Dew
- Parts of the Wilderness Mainline and Taai Bosch
- Parts of Hoekwil
- Additional sections in Victoria Bay
- Modder River and Windsor lines, including Strawberry Farm
- Elvis Blue area
- Parts of Maitland Street
- Arum and Heatherlands
- Sandkraal Road (Nelson Mandela Boulevard), Gongo Street, Hendricks, Dube Village, and Silvertown
- Zone 3, Thembalethu
- Remaining sections of Zone 5, Thembalethu
- Primrose and Aron Streets
- Beukes Pump Station
Possibly Today or Tomorrow
- Herold’s Bay line
- Myrtle, George Road, Napier Street and Witpeer Street, Heatherlands
Possible Weekend Restoration
- Beach to Haden in Heather Streets
The municipality added that teams are currently working on-site in Hammanskraal.
Contractors Assisting Across Garden Route
Local contractors are also assisting municipalities across the Garden Route with storm-related electricity repairs, which may affect the speed of restoration work within George itself.
Residents Urged to Use Alternative Reporting Channels
George Municipality warned that telephone lines are experiencing extremely high call volumes and intermittent network congestion.
Residents can report outages or dangerous live cables through the following channels:
- Email: [email protected]
- After-hours emergencies: 044 801 6300
- Municipal switchboard: 044 801 9222 / 044 803 9222
- Customer Care: 044 801 9202 / 9258
- My Smart City App
Municipal electrical teams were continuing repairs on Friday afternoon in Pollie Gerber Street, Denneoord, as restoration efforts continue across the region.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
