Social media has been abuzz with videos and pictures circulating of large waves along the coastline on September 16 and 17, which has been described as a “storm surge”, with cars, homes, and infrastructure along the coast being damaged.
According to a Facebook post by Garth Sampson at the Gqeberha branch of the South African Weather Service (SAWS), the storm surge was well forecasted by forecasters at SAWS with warnings being distributed through all channels by both SAWS and NSRI.
“The cause was deep low with a long fetch. Spring tide and gale force winds usually occur in isolation, but if it all occurs at the same time we get ‘the perfect storm’,” said Sampson.
“We once again see the importance of heading official warnings issued by SAWS and NSRI.
Earlier today, September 17, the SAWS issued a Yellow Level 1 warning for damaging waves from 00:00 to 09:00 on September 18.
The statement said that a high pressure system is extending its ridge over the Eastern Cape behind an intense cold front that passed through the province on September 16.
“Strong winds with high seas expected across the Eastern Cape coast, subsiding overnight to between 4 and 5.5m with long period SW swell. The high tide is expected to be around 1.70 to 1.74m along the Eastern Cape coastal areas by Monday morning, and that will enhance the expected wave heights.”
According to the statement, the damaging waves are expected to result in, localised disruptions to beachfront activities, localised disruption of small harbours and/or ports and difficulty in navigation to vessels at sea.
As a result small vessels are at risk of taking on water and capsizing.
“Small vessels are advised to seek shelter in harbours, bays or inlets, and public is advised to be aware of large waves along the beach and harbours/ports.”
The areas which will be affected include, Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, Great Kei, Kouga, Kou-Kamma, Mbhashe, Mbizana, Mnquma, Ndlambe, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ngqushwa, Ngquza Hill, Nyandeni, Port St Johns and Sundays River Valley.
