Update

GEORGE NEWS - Chaos erupted when enormous waves and rough sea conditions left a trail of destruction along the Garden Route coastline due to an extremely high spring tide on Saturday 16 September.

George Municipality confirmed the damage to infrastructure and private property is estimated to be massive.

Beachfront homes in Herold's Bay and Victoria Bay had to be evacuated and suffered extensive damage due to flooding and crashing waves.

Vehicles and infrastructure on these beaches were also badly damaged. Beaches in Glentana and Wilderness suffered major erosion to dunes due to the sheer volume of the moving water. 

Damage to infrastructure was also reported. Five vehicles, belonging to hikers, were washed into the ocean in a parking area close to the beach in Jongensfontein. 

Fortunately none of the vehicles was occupied. The temporary Cattle Baron restaurant in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park also sustained serious damage.

George Municipality employees have been working around the clock to clear up the damage caused along our coastline following the havoc wreaked by swells that reportedly reached up to 8m at times. 

READ MORE: Vic Bay erosion a huge concern

On Sunday morning, mop-up operations were already underway in certain areas, one of which was the Leentjiesklip parking area where the 93-year-old Jo Hartman sadly lost her life after a gigantic wave crashed onto her and other bystanders. Read the article on page 3.

On Monday morning, 18 September, the municipality's service and technical departments continued mop-up operations and damage assessments.

"Community Services, Electrotechnical Services and Civil Engineering Services are working together to assess the damage to municipal properties and infrastructure," said senior communications officer Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe on Monday morning.

"The municipality is unable to provide an estimate of the rand value of the damages at this stage, but it is believed to be in the millions of rands."

High water levels at Touw River on Saturday.

The Touw River Bridge was covered in sea sand after it was engulfed by waves. 

Herold's Bay beach, Victoria Bay, Leentjiesklip and Wilderness remain closed until further notice and access is restricted by law enforcement teams.

"The municipality is working hard to resolve the situation and will keep the public informed of any updates as they become available," he said.

Herold's Bay suffered extensive damage to municipal infrastructure and private properties.

The NSRI also removed a rescue craft from the Herold's Bay rescue garage in preparation for the storm surges predicted. NSRI Wilderness reported that four pink rescue buoys and their poles were also swept away.

Victoria Bay beach suffered moderate damage to municipal infrastructure and private properties.

Gwaiing River's lifeguard tower was damaged and concrete pillars were unearthed.

Wilderness had some infrastructure damage to the Leentjiesklip braai area, sand deposits on the N2 bridge and minor damage to private properties.

Mopping-up operations were already underway at Leentjiesklip on Sunday morning. 

The Touw River Bridge on Saturday afternoon after huge waves crashed over it. Photos: Kristy Kolberg

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