Uniondale, Haarlem and surrounds: Communication and infrastructure challenges

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - George Disaster and Fire Services continues to monitor Uniondale, Haarlem and surrounds.

There are several roads and farm areas inaccessible for Haarlem and Uniondale but neither town is completely cut off.

Garden Route District Municipality has indicated that an EMS reconnaissance flight will be undertaken today over Haarlem, De Vlught and areas in the Kammanassie to assess.

The continued Eskom power outage continues to create challenges in terms of our infrastructure but communications internally with all municipal offices has been resumed.

Power outage

George Municipality remains in constant contact with Eskom regarding the outage and has been advised that alternative feeds are being investigated to restore power to Uniondale and surrounds.

Emergency communications

George Fire and Disaster Services has communication with Uniondale / Haarlem and surrounds with our municipal officials including our Fire services located in Uniondale.

Uniondale:

Fire: 044 752 1225
Switchboard and fault reporting: 044 752 1024
After Hours 044 801 6300

Water outage

Uniondale water trucks remain in place. The public is advised to collect drinking water from our trucks until further notice.

The quality of water abstracted from the river source is of a different quality and has affected the water treatment process. The water in the reservoirs is high in turbidity but can be utilised for flushing of toilets at this stage.

Teams will still be working on a solution today to sort out the quality of water distributed. At this point only Uniondale is affected. All other areas, Haarlem, Noll and surrounds, have drinking water.

Welfare checks - what to do?

Should the public require welfare checks on family members in Haarlem and surrounds, they are requested to contact GRDM Disaster Services with details. GRDM has indicated that an EMS reconnaissance flight will be undertaken today over Haarlem, De Vlught and areas in the Kammanassie.

Teams will be requested to address any medical or humanitarian concerns in those areas.

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 Customer Services: 044 801 9262 / 044 801 9266 (07:45–16:30) for stormwater-related complaints
Law Enforcement: 044 801 6350 / 044 801 6389

Uniondale: