Thanks to the rapid response of Fire and Rescue teams, a potential tragedy was averted in Mitchells Plain as 28 preschoolers were safely evacuated from Montclair Kids Educare amidst severe flooding. The centre was among the schools that opened on Monday as Cape Town was battered by heavy storms and gale-force winds, which triggered widespread power outages, road closures and significant damage to infrastructure across the city.
Flood Rescue Efforts
The director of the centre, Yanga Zenani, praised the rescue team for responding less than 30 minutes after the call had been made around 2pm. The swift response, professionalism, and commitment ensured the safety of the children and staff during a very stressful situation. According to the City of Cape Town website, the city’s emergency services are trained to handle such situations.
The alert about the flooding was made by one of the teachers who called Zenani and informed that the drain at the cul de sac was blocked, the water was quickly rising. There is a canal beyond the cul de sac, which has water pumps, but they died, and the water was not flowing out. That is when they called the fire station, and it was dispatched immediately from the Mitchells Plain Station.
Rescue Operations
When the truck arrived, less than 30 minutes after they had made the call, it picked Zenani up where he was waiting and they made their way to the centre. They evacuated the children, loaded them onto the truck and delivered them to the parents. The floods were so bad that an ambulance they had called for an elderly person who was trapped in a house also on the street could not wade in there, meaning they also had to wait for the fire truck.
Here are some key facts about the rescue operation:
- 28 preschoolers were rescued from the flooding
- The rescue team responded less than 30 minutes after the call was made
- The centre was located in Mitchells Plain, which was one of the areas affected by the severe flooding
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith extended gratitude to the first responders. Our officers are doing duty at intersections, assisting where roads have been closed due to flooding or fallen trees, and responding to calls for help.
