Relentless rain causes disruption in George, but no major damage reported

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GEORGE NEWS - The rain that started falling over George and the wider Garden Route on Tuesday afternoon, 2 June, has continued almost uninterrupted, causing disruption to services and infrastructure.

The South African Weather Service (Saws) recorded 188mm at Witfontein from Tuesday afternoon (2 June) till 08:00 this morning, 4 June. A total of 67mm was measured on Wednesday and this morning a further 121mm.

The Garden Route Dam in George is overflowing for the first time in three years. This is the third time that water flows over the raised wall since its completion in 2020 - it previously overflowed in November 2021 and again on 29 May 2023.

More rain is expected for today, Thursday 4 June. The South African Weather Service (Saws) has confirmed that an orange level 8 warning remains in place for the eastern Garden Route District (which includes George), until midnight. Saws said a further 30mm to 70mm of rainfall is expected, with higher rainfall in the mountainous areas.

"Given the current vulnerability of these regions following the severe weather system in May, the previous days’ rainfall accumulations, as well as the near full or overflowing dams, significant to severe impacts are still possible,” said Saws. A level 4 warning was issued for the Central Karoo for today, as well.

The Western Cape Education Department closed all public Garden Route schools for yesterday and today.

The Camphersdrift River in the Botanical Garden. Photo: Burger JordaanGeorge Municipality placed all relevant services on high alert on Monday 1 June in response to the early weather warnings, and a joint operational centre was established. Stormwater and drainage systems in high-risk areas were cleaned before the rain arrived, but in some areas, the volume of the continuous rain still caused disruptions.

Power outages were reported in areas in George, Wilderness, Hoekwil and Woodville. The municipal refuse terrain was temporarily closed due to wet conditions, and refuse collection was suspended in some areas because of safety concerns.

VIDEO: The Grootrivier in the Great Brak area is the cause of Bossie Terblanche and other famers in the Kleinplaas area being cut off. Video: Supplied

Traffic was also affected on various roads, with a rockfall on the N2 at Kaaimans and another on the Hoekwil road. Some roads in George had to be closed due to overflowing manholes. There were also reports of uprooted trees.

The Uniondale licence testing centre was closed on Wednesday and is still closed due to the weather. Telephone and internet services at the George Tourism Office were also disrupted.

Marita Bezuidenhout from Heather Park said it seemed that their decorative boat, Leaky, was ready to launch due to the heavy rain. Photo: Supplied

Bossie Terblanche, chairperson of the Outeniqua Farmers’ Association, said some farmers in the Outeniqualand district have been cut off because of rivers in flood. Vegetable and wheat farmer Brian Robertson said he is expecting some damage to his wheat and other crops. The full extent will only be clear in the coming weeks.

Terblanche said they stocked up after the weather warning was issued. “I have to harvest cauliflower tomorrow. The crops need to go to the packhouse. We hope to be able to get out by then, even if we have to create a way through some makeshift road repairs. The milk tanks are also full, and the milk trucks have not been able to get in, so everyone is a bit on edge. If we can’t get the milk out, we have to let it run onto the ground because the cows still have to be milked. So we really hope that we can get going by tomorrow.”

The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has warned farmers to prepare for possible isolation, road closures and continued cold, wet conditions.

The Garden Route Botanical Garden was closed temporarily, but the curator, Christiaan Viljoen, said this morning that it has been reopened. The rushing Camphersdrift River that runs through it is a beautiful sight to behold, he said.

Some places in the Botanical Garden are flooded. Photo: Burger Jordaan