Cape Town and surrounding areas in South Africa were pounded by another round of storms on Thursday, July 11th. The relentless weather ripped off roofs, caused widespread flooding, and displaced at least 4,500 people. Over 15,000 structures were damaged.
This onslaught is the latest chapter in a week-long battle with multiple cold fronts. These strong systems have lashed the southwestern tip of Africa with record-breaking rainfall and gale-force winds. The city braces for continued bad weather through the weekend, possibly extending into next week.
Wynberg, a Cape Town neighborhood, bore the brunt of the latest storm. Fierce winds tore off roofs, wrecked buildings, and toppled power lines. The City’s Disaster Operations Centre worked tirelessly through the night, responding to resident distress calls.
The damage extends beyond Wynberg. Even before the latest storm, thousands were displaced and structures compromised throughout Cape Town and the Western Cape province. Officials expect these numbers to climb.
JP Smith, the city’s safety chief, reported that authorities and NGOs have provided over 36,000 meals and 6,000 blankets to those affected in the past two days.
Informal settlements on Cape Town’s outskirts, with their vulnerable metal and wooden shacks, were especially hard hit by the wind and flooding. Schools in Cape Town and surrounding areas, including Stellenbosch, a famous wine region, were forced to close. Unusually cold air associated with the fronts brought snowfall to Stellenbosch earlier in the week.
Three major rivers overflowed their banks, and evacuations were ordered in Citrusdal’s agricultural area and parts of Stellenbosch’s wine region due to flooding. To prevent dam overflows and further damage, authorities are considering controlled water releases.
Cape Town and the southwest coast grapple with winter cold fronts every year, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. However, the frequency and intensity of these storms this season are exceptional.
