George Municipality has activated its contingency plans and placed several municipal services on high alert following severe weather warnings for George and surrounding areas.
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain from 12:00 on Thursday, 3 September, until midnight. Rainfall totals of between 20 and 40mm are expected, with 50 to 70mm possible in mountainous areas.
A Level 2 Yellow Warning for strong to near-gale-force southeasterly winds, reaching 40 to 50km/h, is also in effect from Thursday into Friday morning. Along the south-west coast, winds could reach 65 to 70km/h.
SAWS has warned that the conditions could cause flooding of roads and settlements, fast-flowing streams, damage to roads and bridges, and major traffic disruptions where roads are flooded or closed.
The warning covers the George municipal area, including George, Uniondale and Haarlem, as well as other parts of the Garden Route.
Municipal services on high alert
An integrated response has been mobilised across the municipality, with Disaster Management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, Traffic Services, Civil Engineering Services, Electrotechnical Services and Technical Services placed on standby.
Personnel and resources have been positioned to respond rapidly to weather-related incidents, with response arrangements also covering Uniondale and Haarlem.
George Executive Mayor Alderman Browen Johnson urged residents to take the warnings seriously and exercise caution.
“Our residents’ safety remains our priority. Our municipal teams and relevant services are on standby and ready to respond to incidents as they arise,” Johnson said.
Residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, remain vigilant and follow any evacuation or safety instructions issued by authorities.
Residents urged to prepare
People living in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as near natural stormwater channels, are advised to prepare for possible localised flooding and make arrangements to move to higher ground if conditions deteriorate.
Residents are advised to:
-Stay indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and strong winds.
-Never drive through flooded roads.
-Avoid crossing rivers or swollen streams.
-If trapped in a vehicle by floodwater, abandon it and move to higher ground if it is safe.
-Switch off the electricity supply at the main point if flooding threatens a property and it is safe to do so.
-Move animals to higher ground in rural areas.
-Evacuate immediately if instructed to do so, before floodwater cuts off access routes.
Residents should monitor official municipal communication and local media for further weather warnings, emergency notices and service updates.
Emergency numbers
George Municipal Switchboard: 044 801 9111
Disaster Management 24/7: 0800 424 477
Fire Emergencies 24/7: 044 801 6311
Fire After Hours: 044 801 6300
Uniondale/Haarlem Emergency: 044 801 9189
Stormwater complaints: 044 801 9262 / 044 801 9266
Safer City Call Centre 24/7: 044 801 6350 / 044 801 6310 / 044 801 6389
Garden Route Disaster Management Centre: 044 805 5071
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Level 4 warning for disruptive rain from 12:00 on Thursday, 3 September, until midnight. Rainfall totals of between 20 and 40mm are expected, with 50 to 70mm possible in mountainous areas.
A Level 2 Yellow Warning for strong to near-gale-force southeasterly winds, reaching 40 to 50km/h, is also in effect from Thursday into Friday morning. Along the south-west coast, winds could reach 65 to 70km/h.
SAWS has warned that the conditions could cause flooding of roads and settlements, fast-flowing streams, damage to roads and bridges, and major traffic disruptions where roads are flooded or closed.
The warning covers the George municipal area, including George, Uniondale and Haarlem, as well as other parts of the Garden Route.
Municipal services on high alert
An integrated response has been mobilised across the municipality, with Disaster Management, Community Services, Planning and Human Settlements, Traffic Services, Civil Engineering Services, Electrotechnical Services and Technical Services placed on standby.
Personnel and resources have been positioned to respond rapidly to weather-related incidents, with response arrangements also covering Uniondale and Haarlem.
George Executive Mayor Alderman Browen Johnson urged residents to take the warnings seriously and exercise caution.
“Our residents’ safety remains our priority. Our municipal teams and relevant services are on standby and ready to respond to incidents as they arise,” Johnson said.
Residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather, remain vigilant and follow any evacuation or safety instructions issued by authorities.
Residents urged to prepare
People living in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as near natural stormwater channels, are advised to prepare for possible localised flooding and make arrangements to move to higher ground if conditions deteriorate.
Residents are advised to:
-Stay indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain and strong winds.
-Never drive through flooded roads.
-Avoid crossing rivers or swollen streams.
-If trapped in a vehicle by floodwater, abandon it and move to higher ground if it is safe.
-Switch off the electricity supply at the main point if flooding threatens a property and it is safe to do so.
-Move animals to higher ground in rural areas.
-Evacuate immediately if instructed to do so, before floodwater cuts off access routes.
Residents should monitor official municipal communication and local media for further weather warnings, emergency notices and service updates.
Emergency numbers
George Municipal Switchboard: 044 801 9111
Disaster Management 24/7: 0800 424 477
Fire Emergencies 24/7: 044 801 6311
Fire After Hours: 044 801 6300
Uniondale/Haarlem Emergency: 044 801 9189
Stormwater complaints: 044 801 9262 / 044 801 9266
Safer City Call Centre 24/7: 044 801 6350 / 044 801 6310 / 044 801 6389
Garden Route Disaster Management Centre: 044 805 5071
