GEORGE NEWS - The abnormal rainfall last week, followed closely by violent storm winds on Monday, caused widespread damage and disruption across George and the rest of the Garden Route, which challenged authorities' capacity to the limits.

Longstanding residents of George told the newspaper that they had never in their lives experienced such severe storm winds.

George was not as severely affected by the rain as the eastern parts of the district and on the northern side of the mountain, but when the wind hit on Monday, there was havoc nevertheless. 

Gusts of over 100km/h caused extensive damage to buildings, lifted off many roofs, shattered windows and uprooted large numbers of trees out of the wet soil, which blocked roads and fell over onto walls, buildings and vehicles. 

Widespread power outages were caused by multiple faults occurring simultaneously across the network, according to George Municipality. That led to water supply interruptions in certain areas.

George's emergency and technical teams have been working around the clock to restore services and clear fallen trees. Additional contractors joined the municipal teams yesterday (Wednesday) to help accelerate the repairs and to relieve fatigued teams.

Services were disrupted when schools and several municipal departments closed. Refuse removal services and the Go George bus service were temporarily suspended due to the unsafe conditions. The Garden Route Mall was evacuated, and the Garden Route Botanical Garden and SANParks Wilderness Section were closed.

Damage at Afrox.

Schools that had been closed for the rain last week reopened on Monday, but soon the storm dictated otherwise, and parents had to rush to fetch their children again when the severity of the wind increased throughout the day. One parent told George Herald editor Lizette da Silva that the devastation unfolding across town was difficult to comprehend. "It looked like a movie playing out in front of us. If you did not see it with your own eyes, you would struggle to believe it."

A woman died in Blanco from a tree falling over on her, a man was injured by a signboard blown by the wind, and another when a wall collapsed on him.

By Wednesday 13 May, almost 80 families in George were being accommodated in community halls in George, according to the Department of Social Development. Across the district, about 1 000 people needed temporary accommodation because of severe damage to their homes. 

The Garden Route District Municipality has called for the donation of single-bed sponge mattresses, blankets, non-perishable food items and plastic sheeting. Call Lee-Ann Eksteen on 071 860 8342 if you can help.

A shop centre on the corner of York Street and Plattner Boulevard. 

A pole bent like a straw.

The newly opened Build It in Blanco suffered severe storm damage on Monday 11 May. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the business will remain closed temporarily while repairs are carried out. Photo: Michelle Pienaar

Another tree uprooted in the industrial area.

The Glenwood Golf Course also lost a number of trees.

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