A severe weather system which moved through the Western Cape on Monday 11 May and Tuesday May 12, triggered emergency closures and significant travel delays across the Helderberg and Overberg.
While gale-force winds and torrential rain initially forced authorities to shut down major arteries, the impact on coastal access was short-lived.
N2 Sir Lowry’s Pass: The pass was subjected to extreme conditions, with wind gusts exceeding 80 km/h on Monday. By midday, visibility dropped to near-zero, hampering travel. On Tuesday, “stop-and-go” measures were implemented as maintenance teams cleared minor mudslips and debris on the ascent to prevent flooding on the lower hairpin bends. By Wednesday, with the rain having subsided, traffic appeared to return to normal.
Clarence Drive (R44): The scenic route between Gordon’s Bay and Rooiels bore the brunt of the storm runoff, leading to rockfalls and debris between Steenbras River Bridge and Kogel Bay. While Provincial Traffic officials enforced a total closure on Monday morning to clear small boulders and run-off, the road was declared safe and reopened just a few hours later once the initial hazards were removed.
The City has activated donation drop-off points to assist persons affected by the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
The call for donations includes non-perishable foodstuff, personal hygiene items, nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding.
Anyone who wishes to donate to general relief efforts, but also just to ease the load on the City’s NGO partners, is encouraged to do so.
The designated drop-off points are the following fire stations:
• Bellville: Belrail Road
• Goodwood: corner of Hugo Street and Frans Conradie Drive
• Lakeside: Corner of Main and Approach Road
• Milnerton: Koeberg Road
• Ottery: corner of New Ottery Road and Strandfontein Road
• Roeland Street: CBD
• Strand: corner of Broadway Boulevard and George Street
