GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has had its hands full with service-related issues associated with heavy rains and flash floods across the city today.
Civil Engineering Services recorded 139mm rain at the water treatment works above Denneoord by 16:00 today.
George Chief Fire and Disaster Management Neels Barnard said the municipality had been dealing with flood-related incidents since early morning including road closures and related peak traffic, damage to infrastructure, and matters of safety.
“The municipality works closely with other emergency services and social agencies to address impacts of flooding holistically,” said Mr Barnard.
Within the municipal mandate, the municipality addressed the following impacts so far (by 16:30 on 22/11):
- Morning peak time traffic had been severely impacted because of flooding of major arterials into the city including CJ Langenhoven (from Oudtshoorn) and the R102 from the airport into York Street. Floods have subsided and clean-up has commenced.
- Madiba Drive (former Saasveld Road) is closed from above Meyer Street intersection. A section of road had collapsed, and the road is impassable.
- Social Development is on standby at community halls in affected communities for shelter, mattresses and blankets, meals, and toiletries. So far, most people who had been impacted, had chosen to stay with family or near their homes to protect their belongings.
- There were several weather-related electrical issues, which continue to be handled as they occur. As rain and thunder pose major risk to electricians, repairs were delayed at times.
- A major pipe burst, most probably because of flooding, is currently being repaired and affects large areas of the city that are without potable water. The matter is exasperated by a raw water pipe burst over the weekend which had left supply depleted. Water trucks have been stationed at areas across the city.
- GO GEORGE bus services had been temporarily halted but have resumed, details of which are available on their Facebook page.
- Refuse removal was initially delayed and then suspended due to impassable roads and safety concerns.
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