GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality was well prepared for the heavy rainfall and flooding received in the George and Uniondale areas over the past weekend.
The municipality implemented measures aimed at disaster prevention, mitigation and response for the heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms that were predicted for the period Saturday night to Monday morning 6 March.
George in general measured about 60mm of rain from Friday 3 March until Sunday 5 March.
Uniondale and Haarlem
In Uniondale, 65mm of rainfall was measured from Saturday until Sunday and about 68mm of rainfall in Haarlem on the same days. Uniondale and Haarlem areas had the most damage with the newly upgraded Uniondale Fire Station that was almost completely flooded despite preventative preparations.
The use of trenches and sandbags to attempt to prevent flooding was to no avail. The volume of the downpour was simply too much for the measures that were in place.
Farm cut off
A farm in the Kammanassie area was cut off from access due to the Kammanassie River flooding. The resident was unable to pick up an urgent emergency consignment of medication for an epileptic patient and the George Fire Department assisted with the matter due to the emergency.
A 4x4 vehicle was used to cross the flooded river. Several roads were damaged in Haarlem and after the flooding a number of the stormwater drains had to be cleared of debris.
Uniondale roads
The roads in Uniondale are extensively damaged by the storm on Sunday 5 March. The road that was most adversely affected is Uitvlught Road, in addition to Cemetery Road, Laetitia Avenue, Wehmeyer Street, Albert Street, Cathcart Street, Rose Street, Aberdeen Street, Buitenkant Street, Berg Street and Parlement Street.
Some stormwater issues were experienced where large amounts of gravel washed into people's driveways and properties. Officials have started clearing rocks, stones and sand off the roads.
In Uniondale, 40 callouts were made for formal and informal housing with regard to the supply of gunplast and flood damage, with another 40 callouts in Haarlem.
These families were assisted with their flooding issues and provided with glunplast. It was not necessary to evacuate any of their premises.
Preparations in advance
Civil Engineering stormwater teams checked and cleared roughly 100 drains along 21 Streets in George and surrounds from Friday afternoon till 22:00 and again on Saturday from 08:00 to 22:00. Three teams were put in place to check hotspot areas where flooding problems have occurred previously.
During the storm on Sunday, only four complaints came in of people needing assistance with catch pits.
The disaster management department had to bring in two additional staff members to assist with the call volumes at the call centre. Disaster and fire brigade officials monitored areas such as Hope Street and other areas around George.
SANParks breached the Touws River mouth at 15:30 on Monday afternoon. The Corporate Services Directorate had halls on standby to be used if people needed to be evacuated.
Municipal teams cleared the roads and stormwater drains in Uniondale during the flooding.
On standby
The George traffic services remained on standby for the duration of the storm and at least three vehicle accidents were reported on provincial roads. Two motor vehicle accidents in Outeniqua Pass and one accident in Kaaimans Pass were reported to the fire department on Sunday.
The fire department received only seven calls in the George area for assistance with sandbags at residential properties.
Members of the George Fire brigade delivered emergency medicine with a 4x4 vehicle to a farm that was cut off due to the Kammanassie River being in flood.
Gunplast
The Directorate of Human Settlements, Planning and Development prepared on Friday for the delivery of gunplast over the weekend. Gunplast was delivered to applicants on Saturday to place on their roofs in preparation for Sunday's rain.
More critical areas were serviced on Sunday.
A total of 138 pieces of gunplast were delivered over the weekend in George, including Uniondale and Haarlem. Pre-preparation and delivery of gunplast before the inclement weather assisted immensely as the teams could attend to the most critical complaints received from the fire department.
The directorate continued with the delivery of gunplast after the storm. The directorate's maintenance section assisted 14 units in the Rosemoor Home for the Aged with roof leaks and gunplast as well as 10 units where water was leaking through the doors.
Municipal teams cleared the roads and stormwater drains in Uniondale during the flooding.
Hard work
Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz praised and thanked all the officials for their commitment to managing this potential disaster.
"I think we did well and our preparations helped in many respects," said Gratz. She thanked the teams for responding very quickly to potential issues and putting in long hours of hard work.
Mayor Leon van Wyk echoed the many thanks to all the staff and especially the teams on the ground. He said the preparations were excellent and he is excited about the rainfall that we've had.
Debris lying in the road at Uniondale Poort after the storm.
Check-ups were done at Moeggehuur and Moeggeploeg to make sure people’s homes were not flooded and whether they needed gunplast.
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