More than 100 trees topple, cause power cuts

GEORGE NEWS - The heavy downpours and strong winds during last week and at the weekend had some municipal staff working all hours after more than 100 trees toppled and numerous electricity outages were reported in the George area.

At Witfontein, 93 mm of rain was measured and at the airport 51,6 mm, according to the South African Weather Services (SAWS). Yet more rain and cold conditions are predicted for this coming weekend, with only Friday expected to grant us a sunny break.

According to George municipal communications manager Chantèl Edwards, most of the storm-related incidents attended to by the municipality in the past week were associated with electrical faults.

Up until Sunday 18 June, the Electrotechnical Directorate had received 159 complaints. Among these were 48 high-voltage complaints. Extensive repair was needed to the FM Tower line which was dragged down by falling trees twice.

George Fire Services and the Parks and Recreation Division helped clear up fallen trees.

Mayor Leon van Wyk said vehicle accidents and damage caused to infrastructure by contractors added to the load of complaints staff had to attend to, including a difficult and dangerous clearing and repair operation in the Witfontein area.

Here about 60 fallen trees were cleared between Wednesday and Saturday so that the FM Tower line could be repaired twice.

"We thank and applaud the work of the disaster, technical, community safety, cleaning and repair teams as they have quickly restored services," said Van Wyk.

Edwards said the George Disaster Services reported no water outages, stormwater issues or formal and informal house floodings related to the weather. A total of 150 households were assisted with gunplast application.

Disaster Services also attended to minor rock falls and mudslides in Wilderness and Kaaimans Pass, damage to the Conville swimming pool wall, a partial structural collapse at a home in Rosemoor, and various road accidents.

More than 100 trees fell over.

Impact on farmers will lead to shortage on shopping shelves

Farmers are being significantly impacted by the heavy rainfall. Because of the muddy conditions, farmers cannot reach their crops for harvesting. Outeniqua Farmers' Association chairman Philip Terblanche said potatoes have started to rot and cabbage crops such as cauliflower and broccoli have had too much water.

"Production is down. Farm workers are sitting at home. Farmers plant every week, but this has not been possible, so the effect of the rain will also be felt two and a half to three months from now when stock on shopping shelves will be scarcer. This area is the biggest producer of these crops in the country. Strawberry producers also cannot pick strawberries."

Dairy farmers are impacted by the cold weather which negatively affects cows' milk production.

The animals also develop problems with their hooves because of the wet conditions, according to Terblanche.

"Canola and wheat farmers in the Mossel Bay and Riversdale area cannot use tractors in the land and have resorted to apply fertiliser by hand. Some farmers in Mossel Bay are using drones and airplanes."

Farmers are happy that their dams have filled up and although there has been damage to rural roads, they are grateful that it is not as severe as in some other parts of the Western Cape, such as Citrusdal which was cut off by flooding.

More than 100 trees fell due to the soaking wet conditions combined with strong winds.

One of many electricity poles that needed repair.

This old giant was among those that could not stand against the storm. Staff from Parks and Recreation, George Fire Services and the Electrotechnical Department had their hands full to clear fallen trees and repair electrical faults.