KOUGA – At a Special Council Meeting held on 14 May, Kouga Local Municipality approved urgent resolutions aimed at unlocking disaster relief funding following the devastating floods that battered the region between 5 and 11 May and caused an estimated R170.3 million in damage to municipal infrastructure.
According to a statement released by the municipality, Council officially noted the submission made on 11 May to the Sarah Baartman District Municipality requesting the declaration of a Local State of Disaster for the Kouga municipal area after severe flooding caused widespread damage to municipal infrastructure, roads, homes, electrical networks, and essential services.
Council further resolved that the Sarah Baartman District Municipality be requested, in terms of Section 41 of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, to submit the resolution to the Provincial Disaster Management Centre for gazetting and escalation to the National Disaster Management Centre.
The municipality indicated that the Flood Report covering the period from 5 to 11 May 2026, detailing the extensive damage, recommendations, and financial implications, was also formally noted by Council.
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, said the municipality faced enormous financial pressure following the floods, with roads, electrical infrastructure, bridges, stormwater systems, buildings, and other critical municipal infrastructure sustaining extensive damage.
“Initial high-level assessments place the estimated repair costs at approximately R170.3 million (excluding VAT). These figures are based on preliminary visual assessments, and the final costs may increase as detailed technical investigations continue,” said Bornman.
“The municipality simply does not have the financial capacity to absorb damage of this magnitude within its existing budget. The declaration of a Local State of Disaster is therefore crucial to unlock provincial and national disaster funding needed to restore infrastructure and assist affected communities.”
The severe flooding followed days of intense rainfall associated with a cut-off low-pressure system over the Eastern Cape.
Between 5 and 7 May, the South African Weather Service issued a Orange Level 8 warning for disruptive rainfall, cautioning residents about widespread flooding, overflowing rivers, and infrastructure damage.
According to the municipality, in some areas, more than 100mm of rain fell within a short period, overwhelming stormwater systems and causing rivers to burst their banks across the Kouga region.
The municipality indicated that one of the major contributing factors to the disaster was the rapid rise of the Kouga Dam, which reportedly surged from approximately 40% capacity to above 100% within hours, driven by heavy inflows.
By 7 May, the dam had exceeded capacity, prompting emergency warnings and evacuation notices for residents living along the Gamtoos River and downstream flood-prone areas.
The municipality said that among the hardest-hit communities were Hankey, Patensie, Loerie, Thornhill, Gamtoos Mouth, Sea Vista, Oyster Bay, Humansdorp (KwaNomzamo and Kruisfontein) and parts of Jeffreys Bay, where floodwaters inundated homes and informal structures, forcing families to flee to temporary shelters and community halls.
In Hankey, several homes were flooded and families had to be evacuated to the Vusumzi Landu Hall, while ongoing floodwaters and damaged access routes delayed further assessments.
At Kingsway in Gamtoos Mouth, 46 residents had to be evacuated after rising floodwaters threatened homes and surrounding properties.
The municipality indicated that Sea Vista’s informal settlement area was among the worst affected, with widespread flooding impacting vulnerable households.
In KwaNomzamo and Kruisfontein, numerous informal structures were flooded and had their roofs ripped off by strong winds, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 35 families.
Thornhill and Loerie also experienced severe flooding, with multiple structures inundated and approximately 40 people moved to temporary shelters.
Some 22 families from Loerie were accommodated at the Loerie Community Hall.
In Jeffreys Bay, approximately 15 families were evacuated to the Pellsrus Community Hall.
“The disaster has had a devastating impact on many vulnerable residents, particularly those living in low-lying and informal settlement areas,” said Bornman.
“Families lost homes, belongings, and in some cases access to essential services. Many residents had to be evacuated under extremely difficult conditions as floodwaters rose rapidly.”
The municipality indicated that preliminary estimates suggest approximately 100 emergency housing structures may be required to assist displaced households, with around R400 000 needed for emergency housing interventions and immediate relief efforts.
“Priority would be given to infrastructure posing immediate risks to public safety, as well as areas where further deterioration could result in additional damage during future weather events,” said Bornman.
“The municipality remains committed to restoring services, supporting affected residents, and working with provincial and national government to secure the necessary resources for recovery and rehabilitation.”
Bornman praised emergency teams, municipal officials, disaster management personnel, volunteers, and residents who worked tirelessly throughout the crisis.
“Our emergency services, disaster management teams, rescue organisations, and municipal workers displayed extraordinary commitment under extremely difficult conditions. Their dedication helped save lives, protect property, and support vulnerable residents during this disaster,” said Bornman.
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