A powerful storm has hit the Garden Route region, resulting in the death of a social worker and affecting over 89 000 learners who stayed home due to school closures. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) had warned of a powerful cut-off low-pressure system that would bring cold, wet, and windy weather to the area.
The social worker, Lauren Fredericks, was on her way to conduct assessments of residents who were evacuated due to the adverse weather conditions when a tree fell on her car, according to SAWS. Western Cape Social Development MEC Jaco Londt expressed his condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
Storm Impact on Education
Education MEC David Maynier announced that around 89 000 learners were at home on Wednesday as 125 schools in the Eden and Central Karoo Education District were closed due to the heavy rainfall and severe weather conditions. The schools will also be closed on Thursday.
Maynier said that the decision to close schools was made based on the severity of the warnings in place. The department has already received reports of damage to a number of schools and will provide support to have the damage repaired as soon as possible.
Precautions and Warnings
The SAWS warned of disruptive rainfall, leading to widespread flooding of roads and settlements, mudslides, major traffic disruptions, and damage to roads and bridges. The public is strongly urged to continuously monitor official SAWS forecasts and warnings.
Some of the precautions that residents can take to stay safe during the storm include:
- Staying indoors and avoiding travel unless absolutely necessary
- Avoiding areas that are prone to flooding
- Keeping a battery-powered radio and flashlights on hand in case of a power outage
The storm is expected to continue throughout the day, and residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow all instructions from local authorities.
