NMB FLOODING: Two people dead, at least two missing after severe rain

• Search and rescue operations are continuing at Kariega which has many road closures.
• Power outages in several areas in Nelson Mandela Bay
• The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) urges people to release animals from chains and to provide warmth, shelter, and water for them.

Severe rain in the past two days has resulted in flooding in some areas of Nelson Mandela Bay, with two people dead and at least two missing. Many people also had to be evacuated from their homes, while many areas are also without electricity due to power outages.

Kariega is among the areas that have been hit hardest, with videos circulating on social media of the fire department in the town being flooded.

The Kruis River, which crisscrosses many areas of the town, is in flood, and according to a Kariega resident, the town is basically cut off with all entry or exit points of the town flooded. According to the resident, 80 people who had to be evacuated from their homes are being accommodated at the NG Church De Mist.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said in a flood update on the municipality’s Facebook page at around 06:00 this morning, that 65 people have been rescued, 2 have been declared deceased, and 2 have been reported as missing.

“Emergency services have been working throughout the night and are still working and searching to assist people affected by the flooding. All residents are requested to take precautions,” said Soyaya.

Roads that are currently closed include Stock, Daniel Pienaar, Algoa, Cuyler, Graaff-Reinet, Vanderick, Taylor, and Victoria Drive to Caledon Road. Matanzima Road in KwaNobuhle is also closed. Blue Horizon Bay is also not accessible due to the road being flooded. Rocklands Road is also closed, and the Brak River is flooding the R334 between St Albans and Rocklands.

The NSRI also said in a statement that various rescue operations are underway and that resources were activated on Saturday, 1 June, from around 22:45, during heavy rain.

Multiple rescue operations have safely recovered persons from buildings, residences, and vehicles. The NSRI has 3 JetRibs and a number of 6-inch floating rescue craft, NSRI rescue vehicles with NSRI rescue swimmers, and Coastal Water Rescue swimmers assisting the SA Police Services, Police divers, and Police K9 Search and Rescue, together with the emergency services, in ongoing search and rescue operations.

“In one incident at around 03:00, a SMHART security officer reported a vehicle with 6 persons trapped in the flooded Brak River, Rocklands. One male was recovered safely from an island that had formed in the river, an adult female was swept away and is missing. The remaining 4 of these 6 people were recovered safe on the southern side of the river,” the NSRI statement read.

In Gqeberha, the NSRI, in cooperation with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and Port of Port Elizabeth Port Control, is assessing reports of vessels breaking their moorings. In East London, NSRI East London, in cooperation with the TNPA Port of East London Port Control, is assisting on the Buffalo River, at jetties sunken or washed away and boats/vessels breaking moorings.

According to Soyaya, these outages are a result of the severe weather conditions affecting our area. “NMBM has promptly activated its standby resources and is diligently responding to these outages. Our teams are working around the clock to identify and resolve the issues as quickly as possible. However, due to the ongoing storms, we anticipate a significant number of additional power outages over the coming days. We assure the public that we are doing everything within our power to restore services and mitigate the impact of these outages. We ask for your patience and understanding as our crews navigate the challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions,” said Soyaya.

Other areas affected by power outages are Humewood, Kragga Kamma, Lorraine, Lovemore Heights, Miramar, Mount Pleasant, Newton Park, Overbaakens, Pari Park, Summerstrand, Theescombe, Walmer, Walmer Heights, Woodlands, and the surrounding regions.

Animals also at risk

The Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) also posted on Facebook yesterday, urging people to release animals from chains and to provide warmth, shelter, and water for them. “Chaining is illegal. Farm animals in kraals in the low-lying informal settlements must please be released and allowed access to drier areas. They cannot be forced to stand in water and mud all this time. Our AACL fieldworkers are assessing our areas and will report back,” the AACL said. They have asked residents to report if they see any animal that is in a desperate situation by phoning their emergency number 081 470 4319. This number is for emergencies only.