NSRI’s Busy Flood Assistance Weekend

STRAND and GORDONS BAY:

Early Monday morning, 25 September, NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers, GB Med Sec ambulance services and Police responded to Kays Caravan Park in Strand where multiple residents were evacuated from the caravan park.

Some residents were transported to hospital suffering medical complaints not related to the weather.

At the same NSRI Gordons Bay were alerted by Cape Town Fire Control to evacuations of residents and commuters at Croyden Railway station, Somerset West, by Fire and Rescue Services officers and Fire rescue divers and there were no injuries.

In a combined operation NSRI Gordons Bay rescue swimmers, Traffic Services, SA Police Services, GB Med Sec ambulance services, Community Policing Forum, Disaster Risk Management, the Mayors office, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, Community and Neighbourhood groups and Municipal authorities, joined forces to evacuate residents in areas around Strand and Gordons Bay where homes were affected by flooding.

No injuries were reported.

NSRI Gordons Bay and the emergency services and Police remain on alert to assist at Clarence Drive, R44 that is closed due to mud slides, rock falls and flooding. NSRI rescue craft were made available to Disaster Risk Management to assist if any evacuations were required to be mobilised from the sea side but it remained unnecessary as the day progressed.

This is still in affect.

HERMANUS and STANFORD:

On Monday early morning, 25 September, NSRI Hermanus and NSRI Kleinmond mobilised resources to join Traffic Services, SA Police Services, Community Policing Forum, Disaster Risk Management, the Mayors offices, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue Services, Community and Neighbourhood groups and Municipal authorities to evacuate residents in areas around the Klein River, Stanford and parts of Hermanus.

In Stanford at least 46 residents – including adults, the elderly and children, a parrot and domestic animals, were safely evacuated from houses and buildings affected by the Klein River that burst her banks during heavy downpours since Sunday evening and into the daybreak of Monday.

Shelter, medications, supplies and some hospitalisations were carried out during Monday that saw all affected safely relocated to shelters and safe areas.

NSRI commend all services that pulled together to provide help to those in need.

After departing the scene late on Monday NSRI Hermanus returned to Stanford to evacuate a further 2 households that were affected by flooding during the day.

NSRI Kleinmond attempted to reach Caledon where flooding occurred but were unable to reach Caledon after encountering numerous roadways and passes cut off by flooding, but we are aware that SA Police Services, SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services, Fire and Rescue Services, Disaster Risk Management, the Mayors office, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement, Community and Neighbourhood groups and Municipal authorities to evacuated residents in areas in and around Caledon.

NSRI Kleinmond remained on alert for the severely flooded Palmiet River.

NSRI Strandfontein were placed on alert to assist at Stanford but were not mobilised.

2 NSRI JetRibs and NSRI Jet-Ski’s, NSRI Crocs and NSRI rescue swimmers were used at Stanford making it possible for residents and animals to be safely transferred across flood water ways. Unfortunately the toll on inboard impellers of the NSRI rescue craft has resulted in there requiring substantial repairs but NSRI stations remain on alert with alternative resources to respond to emergencies in cooperation with Police and the emergency services.

The support, cooperation and communications between all services can be highly commended.

On Monday afternoon, 25 September, NSRI Strandfontein were activated by City of Cape Town (CoCT) Law Enforcement to join Traffic Services, SA Police Services, Community Policing Forum, Disaster Risk Management, the Mayors office, WC Government Health EMS, Law Enforcement offices and Law Enforcement Marine Unit, Fire and Rescue Services, SPCA, Community and Neighbourhood groups and Municipal authorities and City of Cape Town authorities to evacuate residents in areas of Macassar where flooding was extensive.

A total 71 residents, including adults, the elderly and children, 2 pregnant females (1 was transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition), and domestic animals were safely evacuated.

NSRI rescue swimmers, NSRI rescue craft (a JetRib and NSRI Crocs) and additional Fire and Rescue officers, Law Enforcement Marine Unit, assisted affected persons and animals to cross flood water ways to safety.

56 people and domestic animals were sheltered at Macassar Community Centre.
Dr. Cleeve Robertson, NSRI CEO, said that it is heartwarming to see everyone pull together during this trying time and to successfully avoid fatalities, injuries

and casualties. Our thoughts are with all those displaced and affected by the severe weather conditions, said Dr. Robertson.

NSRI, Police and emergency services resources are braced to help those in need during the heavy rainfalls being experienced in the Southern Cape and towards the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, 26 September.

All information provided is largely an estimate of what NSRI are aware of but may be corrected by Disaster Risk Management that are at the helm of resources, mobilisations, accurate tally’s and damage evaluations and inspections.